Your Rights as a Patient and Your Rights As
A Parent or Legal Guardian

The policy of Sutton Children’s is to provide the best possible treatment to all patients at all times, under all circumstances, and in an equitable and humane manner.

No person shall be denied access to available and medically indicated treatment or accommodations on the basis of race, gender, disability, creed, religion, national origin or source of payment for care.

Respect and Dignity

• considerate, respectful care in a safe setting free from abuse or harassment, with recognition of personal dignity
• care which respects spiritual, psychosocial, and cultural beliefs
• assurance that restraints and seclusion of any form will not be used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff
• respect for privacy and confidentiality concerning medical care and all information concerning hospitalization
• file a complaint or grievance if concerns are not resolved
• contact the operator to call a patient advocate if needed

Information

• complete and understandable information from physicians concerning diagnosis, treatment, procedure, outcome and complications
• examine and receive an explanation of hospital bill, regardless of source of payment
• know what rules and regulations of CHRISTUS Schumpert Health System apply to conduct as a patient
• access to the information in medical records within the limits of the law
• be informed of rights and responsibilities in advance of receiving or discontinuing patient care
• be informed, by introduction or by their wearing a nametag, of the names and functions of all physicians and other health care professionals providing direct care

Treatment

• participate in the development and implementation of a plan of care
• refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law to be informed of the medical consequences of that action as well as the right to access the health system’s ethic committee for consultation on any treatment decisions
• have an Advance Directive, such as a Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare to express choices about care or name someone to act on behalf.
• be advised if CHRISTUS Schumpert Health System and/or its medical staff propose to engage in or perform human experimentation affecting care or treatment.
• be informed by physician, or the physician's delegate, of continuing healthcare requirements following discharge.

Communication

• to have a family member or chosen representative and physician notified promptly of admission to the hospital.
• unrestricted access to visitors, mail, telephone calls, or other forms of communication unless these privileges are restricted for therapeutic reasons by a physician in consultation with family members.
• the right to receive, as soon as possible, the services of a translator or interpreter to help communicate with health care personnel.

Pain Management

• information about pain and pain relief measures
• a concerned staff committed to pain prevention and management
• health professionals who respond quickly to reports of pain
• health professionals who believe reports of pain