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Patient rights
Johnston Health respects and guards the rights of patients. Patients are encouraged to ask questions, become involved in their care and work with members of their health care team.
The patient has the right to:
• Be informed of his/her health status.
• Participate in the development and implementation of a plan of care and make informed decisions regarding care.
• Formulate advance directives and to have hospital staff and practitioners, who provide care in the hospital, comply with these directives.
• Have a family member, or representative of choice, and his/her own physician notified promptly of admission to the hospital.
• Personal privacy.
• Receive care in a safe setting.
• Be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.
• The confidentiality of his/her clinical records.
• Access information contained in his/her clinical records within a reasonable period of time.
• Expect the hospital to actively seek to meet these requests as quickly as its record keeping system permits.
• Be fully informed of and to consent or refuse to participate in any unusual, experimental or research project without compromising his/her access to services.
• Know the professional status of any person providing his/her care/services.
• Know the reasons for any proposed change in the professional staff responsible for his/her care.
• Know the reasons for his/her transfer either within or outside the hospital.
• Know the relationship(s) of the hospital to other persons or organizations participating in the provision of his/her care.
• Know the cost, itemized when possible, of services rendered within a reasonable period of time
• Be informed of the source of the hospital’s reimbursement for his/her services and of any limitations, which may be placed upon his/her care
• Be free from restraints of any form that are not medically necessary or are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff
• Be informed of the right to have pain treated as effectively as possible
• Consent to the donation of organs and tissues
How do I give informed consent?
The process consists of informing the patient and/or family to obtain consent.
Once the patient and/or family receives all information and demonstrates understanding, consent is obtained.
Signatures of the patient and/or family and physician are obtained and the consent is made a part of the patient’s medical record.
What about my advance directives?
Johnston Health honors the directives within the limits of the law. At the time of admission or registration, staff will ask patients over the age of 18 if he/she has an advance directive. If the answer is yes, the directive is placed on the medical record and the attending physician, nursing staff, and Risk Management Department are notified. If no directive is given, patients are given a copy of the booklet “Making Decisions”. All caregivers should understand the advance directive.
What if I have an ethical concern?
Ethical concerns regarding what is best for a patient should be resolved through communication and discussion.
The hospital has an Ethics Committee that reviews ethical matters but if the concern needs immediate attention, contact your nurse.
What if my family or I have a concern?
Patients and family members can speak to any caregiver regarding problems with care or services. Issues can be resolved by staff and managers immediately or can be referred to the hospital’s Patient Advocate at ext. 7443.
Patient privacy
Patient privacy & confidentiality (HIPAA)
You have the right to expect that your personal health information will be treated as confidential. Johnston Health respects the confidentiality of patient medical information and has the obligation to safeguard your records against unauthorized disclosure.
HIPAA Privacy Regulations allow the hospital to release very limited information about you, without your authorization. Unless you object, the following information may be released to someone who specifically asks about you by name:
• Your location in the facility (i.e. emergency department, ICU, inpatient floor)
• Your general condition (i.e. treated and released, good, fair, critical)
• Your religious affiliation to members of the clergy
If you do not want any of the above information to be released, please inform a member of the hospital staff.
Please refer to the Joint Notice of Privacy Practices or the Department of Health & Human Services for additional information. If you have a specific privacy request, please ask to complete a privacy request form.
Interpreter services
What do I do if I or a family member speaks another language or is deaf?
Request an interpreter from Patient Registration at ext. 6410.
The hospital provides a person who speaks Spanish. You may ask for an interpreter from any person that works at the hospital.
El hospital proeever de una persona quien habla el Español.
Usted puede pedir por un intérprete a cualquier persona que trabaje en el hospital.
El número es 713-0109.
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