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Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Learn your rights and responsibilities as a Williamson Health patient.

“Excellent care. Extremely efficient. Good communication. Excellent food. We are blessed to have such a wonderful facility in our community."

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Every patient has the right:

  • To impartial access to the medical resources of the hospital without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, handicapping or disabling condition, spiritual or ethical beliefs, or financial status.
  • To considerate, respectful care.
  • To access pastoral or other services to meet their spiritual needs.
  • To compassionate care with regard to matters of personal comfort and dignity at all times under all circumstances.
  • To be informed and to participate in decisions involving health care, including the refusal of treatment and choices regarding life-sustaining treatment.
  • To appropriate assessment and management of pain.
  • To a physically and emotionally safe and secure environment.
  • To information about Advance Care Plan, such as a Living Will or a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, that will allow the patient to make personal health care decisions for the future and to have a chosen representative exercise these rights when the patient is incapable of doing so.
  • To be assured that the hospital’s provision of care will not be conditioned on whether or not there is an Advance Care Plan. To refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of any action.
  • To instructional and educational information about medical treatment in a language and in terms that are easily understood.
  • To express any concerns and/or complaints about hospitalization without hesitation. This opportunity is extended to the family, significant other, the parents of pediatric patients, or the legally appointed representative and will not interfere in any way with the patient’s present or future care.
  • To express any concerns to the nurse, physician, or other care giver if an ethical/cultural/spiritual dilemma presents itself.
  • To information about any experimental or research activities that involve the patient’s treatment and the patient’s ability to refuse experimental treatment and drugs.
  • To privacy and confidentiality in all patient care areas as the patient undergoes tests or treatments.
  • To the confidential treatment of, and personal access to, the patient’s medical record.
  • To know who is responsible for providing immediate, direct care.
  • To information about the charges related to services rendered by Williamson Medical Center.
  • To be free from physical or mental abuse, corporal punishment, and harassment.
  • To be free from, restraint or seclusion, of any form imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff. Restraint or seclusion may only be imposed in a safe manner by appropriately trained staff to ensure the immediate physical safety of the patient, a staff member, or others and must be discontinued at the earliest possible time.
  • The patient has the right to have a family member or representative of his or her choice and his or her own physician notified promptly of his or her admission to the hospital.

Every patient has the responsibility:

  • To give the doctor and the hospital staff complete and accurate information about his/her condition and care.
  • To follow doctors’ orders and instructions and the hospital staff’s instruction for care, including the keeping of appointments.
  • To report unexpected changes in condition to the physician and nurse.
  • To bring an updated copy of Advance Care Plan to be placed in the medical record at the time of admission or as soon after as possible.
  • To accept responsibility for refusing treatment.
  • To show consideration for other patients by following all hospital rules regulations pertaining to smoking, visitors, noise, and general conduct.
  • To accept the financial obligation associated with the care received.
  • To advise the nurse, Nursing Supervisor or administrator on call of any dissatisfaction regarding care.
  • To be considerate of staff members who are providing care. A mutual spirit of respect and cooperation allows for the best environment in which to provide good patient care.

If you would like to download a copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices, you may do so here.

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