PatientInfoGuide - Flipbook - Page 14
Your Part as a Patient
Your Rights as a Patient
As a patient at Southwestern Vermont Medical
Center, you have the right to:
Access to Care
• You will receive impartial access to care
regardless of race, national origin, gender,
gender identity, disability, age, religion, sexual
orientation, insurance, or ability to pay.
Respect, Dignity, and Safety
The Patient’s Rights applies to all patients
regardless of race, national origin, gender,
gender identity, disability, age, religion, sexual
orientation, insurance, or ability to pay.
• We will provide considerate and respectful
care in a safe setting with recognition for your
personal dignity.
• You have the right to be listened to and to
receive care that is free from discrimination
based upon age, race, ethnicity, religion,
culture, language, physical or mental disability,
socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation,
and gender identity or expression.
• We will respect your cultural and personal
values, beliefs, and preferences and
accommodate your religious beliefs or other
spiritual preferences.
Privacy and Confidentiality
• We will be considerate of your privacy and
follow all laws and regulations when making
and using recordings, films or other images.
• We respect your right to the confidentiality of
your medical information. We will only share
information with others with your consent or
as otherwise permitted by law.
Care and Treatment
• We will provide the name of your attending
physician and have them coordinate your care
from admission through discharge.
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• You have the right to have a personal
representative, such as a family member,
friend, surrogate, or a legal guardian, present
during your care unless contraindicated.
• You have the right to have your family and
your own physician notified promptly of your
admission to or discharge or transfer from the
hospital.
• Your healthcare provider will explain your
diagnosis, health status, possible treatment,
expected outcomes, and recommended
continuing health care needs for when you
leave, all in a manner you can understand.
• The providers taking care of you will be
identified by name. You have a right to know
about any professional relationships your
provider has with other providers, healthcare
organizations, and educational institutions
involved in your care.
• Except in emergencies, we will provide treatment
only with informed consent. You may participate
in the development and implementation of
your care plan, including the right to refuse
treatment and the right to be informed about
significant treatment alternatives.
• We will professionally assess and manage your
pain. You have the right to receive a complete
list of medications your providers have
prescribed for you.
• We will respond reasonably to requests for
services.
• You may refuse to participate in research,
investigations, or clinical trials.
• You have the right to receive only visitors you
consent, prefer, and designate to receive, and
the right to deny consent for visitors who you
do not wish to receive. Parents or guardians
may visit their children 24 hours per day.
When possible, immediate family members,
healthcare agents/surrogates, or guardians
have the right to stay with terminally ill
patients 24 hours per day.
• You have the right to create an advanced
SOUTHWESTERN VERMONT MEDICAL CENTER