Patient Rights

Every patient shall have the following rights:

1. Every patient, or his/her designee, shall whenever possible be informed of the patient's rights and responsibilities in advance of furnishing or discontinuing patient care.
2. The right to have a family member, chosen representative, and/or his or her own physician notified of admission to the hospital.
3. The right to receive treatment and medical services without discrimination based on race, age, religion, national origin, sex, sexual preference, handicap, diagnosis, ability to pay, or source of pay. 
4. The right to be treated with consideration, respect, and recognition of their individuality, including the need for privacy in treatment.
5. The right to respect the patient's cultural and personal values, beliefs, and preferences. 
6. The right to religious and other spiritual services.
7. The right to receive pain management if needed.
8. The right to be informed of the names and functions of all physicians and other health care professionals who are providing direct care to the patient. These people shall identify themselves by introduction and/or by wearing a name tag.
9. The right to receive, as soon as possible, the services of a translator or interpreter to facilitate communication between the patient and hospital's health care personnel.
10. The right to participate in the development and implementation of his/her plan of care.
11. Every patient or his or her representative (as allowed by state law) has the right to make informed decisions regarding his or her care.
12. The patient’s rights include being informed of his/her health status, being involved in care planning and treatment, and being able to request or refuse treatment. This right must not be construed as a mechanism to demand the provision of treatment or services deemed medically unnecessary or inappropriate.
13. The right to be included in experimental research only when he or she gives informed, written consent to such participation, or when a guardian provides such consent for an incompetent patient in accordance with appropriate laws and regulations. The patient may refuse to participate in experimental research, including the investigations of new drugs and medical devices.
14. The right to be informed if the hospital has authorized other health care and/or educational institutions to participate in the patient's treatment. The patient shall also have a right to know the identity and function of these institutions and may refuse to allow their participation in his/her treatment.
15. The right to formulate advance directives and have hospital staff and practitioners who provide care in the hospital comply with these directives.
16. The right to be informed by the attending physician and other providers of health care services about any continuing health care requirements after his/her discharge from the hospital. The patient shall also have the right to receive assistance from the physician and appropriate hospital staff in arranging for required follow-up care after discharge.
17. The right to have his/her medical records, including all computerized medical information kept confidential. 
18. The right to access information contained in his/her medical record within a reasonable time frame.
19. The right to be free from restraints of any form that are not medically necessary or are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff.
20. The right to be free from all forms of abuse and harassment.
21. The right to receive care in a safe setting.
22. The right to examine and receive an explanation of the patient's hospital bill regardless of source of  payment and may receive upon request information relating to financial assistance available through the hospital.
23. The right to be informed in writing about the hospital's policies and procedures for initiation, review, and resolution of patient complaints, including the address and telephone number of where complaints may be filed with the department.
24. The right to be informed of his/her responsibility to comply with hospital rules, cooperate in the patient's own treatment, provide a complete and accurate medical history, be respectful of other patients, staff, and property, and provide required information regarding payment of charges.
25. Except in emergencies, the patient may be transferred to another facility only with a full explanation of the reason for transfer, provisions for continuing care, and acceptance by the receiving institution.
26. The right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law. Medications and treatment are given only for your welfare. When refusal of treatment by you or your legal guardian prevents the provision  of appropriate care in accordance with professional standards, the relationship with you may be terminated upon reasonable notice.
27. You have the right to wear your own personal clothing and to keep your own possessions, religious, or other symbolic items, unless they interfere with diagnostic procedures, unless restricted by your physician, or unless your clothes would be dangerous for your treatment or other patient's treatment.
28. Patients who receive treatment for mental illness or developmental disability, in addition to the rights listed herein, have the rights provided in the Louisiana Mental Health Law as stated below:
    1. You have the right to care provided in a dignified and humane manner, and to such privacy as is possibly consistent with your treatment plan.
    2. Your confinement to an institution shall not of itself cause you to lose any of the rights enjoyed by citizens of Louisiana and the United States. You shall not be deprived of these rights except when the determination is made by the appropriate court.
    3. You have the right to unimpeded, private, and uncensored communication with persons of your choice by mail, telephone, and visitation. These rights may be restricted by the treatment team of the facility if sufficient cause exists and is so documented in your medical record. Your legal counsel, as well your next of kin or responsible party, must be notified in writing of any such restrictions and the reasons, therefore. When the cause for any restriction ceases to exist, your full rights shall be reinstated. You have the right to always communicate in any manner in private with your attorney.
    4. Cypress Grove Behavioral Health shall ensure that correspondence can be conveniently received, that telephones are accessible, and that space for visits is available.
    5. Reasonable times and places for the use of telephones and for visits will be posted. The times and places established will allow you, at a minimum, reasonable daily communication by telephone and visitation.