As a patient at Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center you have chosen a quality healthcare facility accredited by the Joint Commission Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.  We are committed to provide excellence through continuous improvement in quality care.  We believe in your basic rights and responsibilities.  It is our desire to assist you in participating in your care.

The Patient Has a Right to:

Access to Care
As a patient you have reasonable access to requests and needs for treatment or services within the hospital’s capacity, its  mission, and as applicable by law and regulation regardless of race, creed, national origin, sources of payment for care, or whether you have an executed advance directive.

Respect, Dignity and Care
As a patient you can expect considerate and respectful care.  This includes any psychosocial, spiritual and cultural variable that may influence your care.  You have the right to be involved in all aspects of your care.

Informed Consent
As a patient you have the right to:

• Receive information from your physician which may be necessary to make decisions regarding medical care.
• Be informed of any human experimental or other research/educational projects affecting your care or treatment.
• Ask Questions.
• Not be subjected to any procedure without a complete understanding of consent.
• Know the identity and professional status of staff responsible for your care.

Privacy and Confidentiality
As a patient, you have the right to:

• Every consideration of your privacy concerning medical care within the limits of the law.
• Have discussion, consultation, examination and treatment conducted discreetly.  Those not directly involved in your care must have permission to be present.
• Refuse to talk with or see anyone not officially connected with the hospital including visitors.
• Request a transfer to another room if another patient or a visitor in the room is unreasonably disturbing to you.
• Expect that all communication and records pertaining to your care is treated as confidential.

Personal Safety/Security
As a patient, you have the right to expect reasonable safety/security where hospital practices and environment are concerned and have the right to be placed in protective privacy when it is considered necessary for your personal safety and security.

Information/Decision Making
As a patient you have the right to:

• Obtain from your physician complete current information concerning your diagnosis, treatment prognosis in terms you can reasonably understand.  If you cannot understand the language of this area, an interpreter will be located to assist you.  When not medically advisable to give such information to the patient, the information will be available to a legally authorized person.
• Expect that all communication and records pertaining to your care are treated as confidential.
• Participate  in the consideration of ethical issues regarding your care.  If you are unable to participate, your designated representative may be able to do so.
• Be involved in the decision-making process related to your care, if appropriate.  If unable to participate in the decision-making process, family members or surrogate decision-makers may participate as permitted by law.
• Be transferred, if medically permissible, to another facility only after you have received complete information and explanation concerning the need for and alternatives for such a transfer.  The institution to which the patient is to be transferred must first have accepted the patient transfer.
• Expect reasonable continuity of care.  You have the right to know in advance what appointment times and physicians are available and their location.  You have the right to expect from your physician or healthcare provider your continuing healthcare requirements following discharge.

Acceptance/Refusal of Treatment
As a patient, it is your right to accept or refuse medical care to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of your actions.

Pain Management
As a patient, you have the right to expect your level of pain to be managed effectively and efficiently.

Advanced Directives   
As a patient, it is your right to accept or refuse medical care to the extent permitted by law.  Advanced directives, such as “living wills” or “durable power of attorney” can protect this right if you ever become mentally or physically unable to choose or communicate your wishes due to illness or injury.  You also have the right to name a person to make decisions for you if you become unable to do so.  The admissions clerk will ask you if you have an advance  directive or a durable power of attorney upon admission.  If so, a copy of this document will be placed in your medical record.  If you do not have an advanced directive or durable power of attorney and wish to prepare one, the nurse will provide and explain the information to you.

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders
As a patient, or when appropriate, your legal decision-maker has the right to make decisions about approving or rejecting life-sustaining measures Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center has established a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) policy.  Your wishes concerning DNR orders should be discussed with your physician.

Protective Services
As a patient, you have the right to receive information/assistance regarding protective services including guardianship, advocacy services, conservatorship and child or adult protective services.  A social worker or discharge planner is available to assist you.

Patient Advocacy Group
A patient or Family Member may file a complaint with any of the following agencies if they feel that a Patient’s Rights have been violated or the patient is in need of Protective  Services.

• State survey, Certification, and Licensure
  Virginia Department of Health
  Division of Licensure and Certification
  9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 401
  Richmond, VA 23233-1485
  804-527-4503
  

• Virginia Health Quality Center
  9830 Mayland Drive, Suite J
  Richmond, VA  23233
  804-289-5324
  www.vhqc.org

• Office of Quality Monitoring
  The Joint Commission
  One Renaissance Boulevard
  Oakbrook Terrace, IL  60181
  800-994-6610
  www.complaint@jointcommission.org

• State Ombudsman Virginia Department of the Aging
  700 East Franklin Street
  Richmond, Virginia 23219
  1-800-552-3402

• Protection and Advocacy Crater District Area Agency on Aging
  23 Petersburg, Virginia 23805
  1-804-464-3346 or 1-804-732-7020

• Greensville County Department of Social Services
  P.O. Box 1136
  Emporia, Virginia 23847
  1-434-634-6576

• Family Violence/Sexual Assault
  420 South Main Street
  Emporia, Virginia 23847
  1-434- 348-0100

• Medicaid Fraud Control
  Department of Medical Assistance Services
  600 East Broad Street, Suite 1300
  Richmond, Virginia 23219
  1-804-786-5438

Hospital Charges
As a patient, you have the right to:
1. Examine and receive an explanation of your hospital bill, regardless of source of payment.
2. A timely notice prior to termination of your eligibility for reimbursement of any third-party payor for the cost of your care.

Patient Responsibilities

Hospital Rules and Regulations
As a patient, you have the right to know which hospital rules and regulations apply to you.

Providing Information
Each patient has the responsibility to provide, to the best of his knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illness, hospitalization, medications, and other matters relating to his health.  He has the responsibility to report unexpected changes in his condition to the responsible practitioner.  A patient is responsible for making it known whether he clearly comprehends a contemplated course of action and what is expected of him.

Complying with Instructions
A patient is responsible for following the treatment plan recommended by the practitioner primarily  responsible for his care.  This includes the instructions of nurses and allied health personnel as they carry out the coordinated plan of care and implement the responsible practitioners’ orders, and as they enforce the applicable hospital rules and regulations.

Refusal of Treatment
The patient is responsible for the consequences that may result if he refuses treatment or does not follow the practitioners’ instructions.

Hospital Charges
The patient is responsible for assuring that the financial obligations of his health care is fulfilled as promptly as possible.

Hospital Rules and Regulations
The patient is responsible for following hospital rules and regulations affecting patient care, safety, personal and visitor conduct.

Respect and Consideration
The patient is responsible for being considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel, and for assisting in the control of noise, smoking, and visitors.  The patient is responsible for being respectful of the property of other persons and of the hospital.