EL RIO COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
SCOPE:
This policy applies to CLINICAL and NON-CLINICAL departments in the following El Rio Community Health
Center, Inc. locations and/or functional areas (check all that apply):
Family Medicine
Same Day Appt Clinic
Radiology
MOR/DOR
Internal Medicine
Broadway
Pharmacy
Administration
Pediatrics
School Based Clinic
Laboratory
Human Resources
Dental
SIA
HIM
Accounting
Behavioral Health
CODAC
Information Technology
Business Office
Midwives
Birth & Women’s
Patient Communications
Coding
OB/GYN
Care Coordination
Advocacy and Eligibility
Security
Clinical Pharmacy
Wellness
Facilities/Materials
Transportation
POLICY DESCRIPTION:
The Rights and Responsibilities of El Rio Patients
APPROVAL DATE:
10/2015
EFFECTIVE DATE:
10/20145
NEXT REVIEW DATE:
10/2016
AUTHOR:
Nancy Johnson, RN, PhD
PAGE:
1 of 3
REFERENCE NUMBER:
COP-025
DATES REVIEWED WITHOUT CHANGE:
REPLACES POLICY DATED:
03/2015
DATE RETIRED:
N/A
APPROVALS:
COO: 02/2015
CPPC: 03/2015
CAC: 03/2015: 10/2016
PURPOSE: El Rio Community Health Center believes that patients have a fundamental right to medical care
that safeguards their personal dignity and respects their cultural, psychosocial, and spiritual values.
Therefore, El Rio strives to provide understanding and respect of those values whenever possible.
I.
Patients have the right to:
a. Accessible care as follows:
i. To receive appropriate medical and dental care without discrimination
ii. To receive a timely response to concerns
iii. To be helped to access protective services
iv. To receive referrals to other health care professionals to optimize health status
v. To receive any necessary communication assistance if English is not spoken by the
patient or the patient is hearing or visually impaired.
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b. Respect and Dignity:
i. To be assured of the confidentiality of their health information
ii. To be able to make informed choices about care and treatment, including the decision
to refuse treatment
iii. To be assured of considerate and respectful treatment regardless of race, color,
creed, ethnic or national origin, cultural background, religion or belief, age, sex,
gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, economic status, education,
disability or illness
iv. To be encouraged to complete an Advance Directive/Living Will and have their stated
wishes honored
c. Involvement of Family and Friends
i. To involve family members and/or friends in their care, whenever it is safe and
possible to do so
d. Coordination of Care
i. To know the name of their primary medical or dental provider
ii. To know the names and professional titles of caregivers participating in their care
iii. To participate in the development and implementation of their care along with their
chosen family and representatives
iv. To appoint a representative of their choice to make informed decisions about their
care
e. Information, Education and Communication
i. To be given complete and current information about their diagnosis, condition and
treatment, including any unanticipated outcomes, in a manner that the patient can
understand
ii. To participate in decisions regarding any diagnosis, treatment and care along with
their chosen family and representatives
iii. To be fully informed about any potential risks and benefits of procedures and
treatments
iv. To receive and examine an explanation of charges, regardless of the payment source.
Said explanation to be presented in a manner the patient can understand
v. To receive health information and education to optimize health and selfmanagement.
f. Physical Comfort
i. To be cared for in a healing environment which is clean, safe and respectful of
personal dignity
ii. To receive appropriate pain assessment and management with the intention of
maximizing comfort
g. Emotional Support
i. To be able to express concerns and have those concerns heard and receive an
appropriate response
h. Transition and Continuity of Care
i. To expect reasonable continuity of care and to be advised of continuing healthcare
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II.
requirements
Patient Responsibilities:
As a partner with their Healthcare Team, patients are asked to:
a. Provide complete and accurate information about their current and past state of health,
including allergies, past illnesses, hospitalizations and medications they care currently taking
b. Report changes in their condition or symptoms, including pain, to a member of the
healthcare team
c. Talk to us about their pain and options for minimizing it
d. Ask any questions when they do not understand what we are saying
e. To follow the treatment plan as developed by the healthcare team in collabortation with the
patient
f. Accept responsibility for health outcomes if the decision is made not to follow the treatment
plan
g. Follow the rules and regulations of our health center, which have been put in place for the
safety of everyone
h. Assist us in providing a safe environment by sharing your observations if unsafe conditions or
practices are perceived
i. Show respect and consideration of healthcare professionals and other patients and families
by controlling noise and disturbances, by not smoking, by respecting the property of others
and by using respectful and appropriate language
j. Assure your financial obligation for health care is fulfilled as promptly as possible
This policy and procedure is on display in all healthcare center locations in the form of a Statement of
Patients Rights and Responsibilities.