Home > Patients & Families > Rights & Responsibilities
Rights & Responsibilities
To Download a copy of the Privacy Brochure for all patients, please click here
We believe that patients who understand and participate in their healthcare achieve better results. Therefore, we encourage a partnership between you and your healthcare providers. Your role as a member of this team is to exercise your rights and to take responsibility by asking for clarification of things you do not understand.
You have a right to courteous treatment
At Langlade Hospital we respect your right to:
- be treated with dignity. The care provided will not be affected by your race, religion, sex, age, type of illness, or financial status.
- be addressed in a manner that is comfortable to you.
- know your doctor and ask all personnel involved in your care to introduce themselves, state their positions, and explain what they are going to do for you.
You have a right to privacy
The staff at Langlade Hospital strives to respect the privacy of all patients. Case discussions, examinations, and treatment are confidential and should be conducted discreetly. In addition, you have a right to:
- close the door anytime you want privacy.
- be given respect and privacy during personal hygiene activities.
- request no visitors or designate who may visit you during your stay.
You have a right to confidentiality
You are assured confidential treatment of your medical record by state and federal law. As a patient, your medical record will not be released to persons outside Langlade Hospital unless you consent in writing. Your medical record can be released:
- to the doctor who referred you to Langlade Hospital.
- if allowed by a court order.
- to medical personnel in a medical emergency.
- as necessary in complaint investigations.
- if required by a third party payer such as an insurance company.
- if otherwise required by federal or state law.
- to qualified personnel for research, audit, or program evaluation, as long as individuals cannot be identified.
You have a right to treatment information
Your treatment will be explained to you. You may choose to include any family members or friends in this discussion. You can expect an explanation to include:
- your diagnosis
- alternatives of treatment
- the probable outcome
- the benefits and risks of each alternative
It is your right to decide whether you wish to be treated and if so by which method of treatment. You have the right to review your medical record and have the information it contains explained to you. If you have impaired hearing or limited English language skills, we will make every attempt to provide an interpreter at no extra charge.
You have a right to participate in decisions about your care
We respect your right:
- to participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care
- to have appropriate assessment and management of pain
- to informed consent prior to the start of any test, surgery, procedure or treatment
- to refuse a diagnostic procedure or treatment
- to discontinue current treatment
- to formulate an Advanced Directive and to have hospital staff and practitioners who provide care in the hospital comply with the directive
- to be given a full explanation before you are transferred
to another facility
You may be treated without consent if there is an emergency and immediate action must be taken to save your life. If you are unconscious or too sick to give consent, consent will be obtained from:
- the decision-maker designated in your Advance Directive
- your nearest relative or legal guardian
You have a right to examine and understand your hospital bill
You can examine and receive an explanation of your hospital bill regardless of the source of payment. You shall receive upon request information relating to financial assistance available through the hospital.
You Have a Responsibility to Ask for Clear Explanations
If the explanation of your medical problem or treatment plan is not clear, ask for the information you need.
You may want to ask:
- why a treatment is recommended.
- what alternatives are available.
- if the treatment is new or experimental.
- if the treatment causes discomfort or pain.
- how long the treatment will take.
- what risks or side effects are involved.
- what the credentials of the person providing treatment are.
Once you and your physician have agreed upon your treatment plan, it is important that you follow that prescribed pan. Partial treatment will not be beneficial.
You Have a Responsibility to Make Informed Decisions
Because you are responsible for the decisions you make about your care, we encourage you to gather as much information as you need to make your decisions. You may be asked to consent in writing to certain tests, procedures or operations. Ask as many questions as you need to fully understand each document you are asked to sign.
If you change your mind or refuse a treatment, discuss your reasons with your physician.
Other Responsibilities
As a partner in your healthcare, we encourage you to consider the responsibilities to:
- Be Honest - Provide an accurate and complete medical history and tell those who are caring for you exactly how you feel about the things that are happening to you.
- Understand - Be informed about your health problems. If you do not understand your illness or your treatment, ask your healthcare team to explain it to you.
- Follow the Treatment Plan - Advise the staff treating you if you feel unable to follow a certain treatment plan.
- Report Changes - Tell your doctor about any changes in your health.
- Know Your Medicines - Know or write down the names and purposes of the medications you have taken recently.
- Inform us of your Advance Directive.
- Adhere to Langlade Hospital's no smoking policy.
- Know your health insurance benefits.
- Request to have anything of value sent home with a family member until you are discharged.
- Ask your family members or visitors to respect visiting hours and the rights of other patients..
