Patient Rights and Responsibilities

[Download] Patient Rights and Responsibilities - English

[Download] Derechos y Responsibilidades - Español

As a patient, you have a right:

  • To receive reasonable and fair medical treatment or services without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, gender or expression, disability, religion, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation.
  • To considerate and respectful care that respects your spiritual and cultural beliefs, personal and ethical values, educational needs and your dignity and privacy.
  • To be provided with adequate assessment of and interventions for relief of pain or discomfort.
  • To have any ethical issues concerning your care addressed by the facility and to be included in the ethical decisions regarding your care.
  • To complete and current information from your physician concerning your diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, in terms you understand, and to have your questions answered promptly.
  • To receive from your physician complete information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of your procedure and/or treatment, including the nature and risks of any procedure.
  • To have reasonable accommodations for your communication needs from all caregivers, including language interpreting and translations services, at no cost to you.
  • To know the people involved in your care by name and role.
  • To refuse treatment, except as otherwise provided by law, to be informed of the medical consequences of your action, and to leave against medical advice, understanding that you will be requested to sign a form to that effect.
  • To participate in decisions involving your care & assist in planning your discharge & home care needs, & to select another person to make health care decisions in the event you are unable to.
  • To have any person of your choice present during your care, treatment and services unless doing so would risk the safety or health of the patient, other patients, or staff of the facility or cannot be reasonably accommodated by the facility or provider.
  • To be provided with education for you and your family or support person regarding your care.
  • The confidentiality of your medical record and the right to access information from it.
  • To expect reasonable continuity of care and to know in advance what and when appointment times and physicians are available.
  • To expect the facility to provide a safe environment.
  • To be informed of outcomes of care including any unanticipated outcomes that affect your care.
  • To voice grievance and complaints, including abuse or suspected abuse, neglect or any violation of your rights; to recommend changes in policies and services without fear of reprisal; and to receive a prompt written response to your concerns.
  • To review your medical record and to approve or refuse the release or disclosure of its contents to any health care practitioner and/or facility, except as required by law.
  • To make decisions throughout the care process when involved in investigative studies and clinical trials, including the right to agree or refuse participation.
  • To receive upon request, information about advance directives, such as a living will or health care proxy and to have your directives honored. For people who have a directive for “no resuscitation” a hospital may be a more appropriate setting for care. Please discuss with your physician and or nurse.
  • To know, on request and prior to treatment, whether Medicare assignment is accepted for payment.
  • Receive on request and prior to treatment, an estimate of charges and counseling on available financial resources.
  • To receive an explanation of your bill and, on request, an itemized bill with charges explained when requested.

As a patient in one of our surgery centers, you have the right:

  • To know if your physician has a financial interest in the surgery center and to know of other facilities in which you may receive care by your physician if you so chose. See signage in the center for physician investor names.

As a patient, you have the responsibility:

  • To have a responsible adult with you for transportation & home care for procedures where sedation is given.
  • To provide complete information about your health, including past illnesses, hospitalizations, allergies and medications, and vision, speech, hearing or cognitive impairments.
  • To ask questions to find out information or clarify things you do not understand, and to tell your physician if you decide to stop or do not understand the treatment plan.
  • To follow the care provided by your physician, nurses and or health care workers, and to accept the responsibility for your actions if you refuse recommended treatment or do not follow instructions.
  • To advise your doctor or healthcare provider of any dissatisfaction in regard to the quality of your care.
  • To inform your physician or healthcare provider if you have an advanced directive or have a designated person to make health care decisions in the event you are unable to.
  • To provide the name and telephone number of the person you would want contacted in the event of an emergency.
  • To fulfill financial obligations associated with your care promptly.
  • To follow rules and regulations on patient care and conduct.
  • To keep appointments or notify the health care provider if you cannot.

Physicians Are Independent

Physicians and/or surgeons providing services to you including, but not limited to, radiologists, anesthesiologists and pathologists, are independent contractors and are not employees of the facility. You will receive a separate bill for their professional services.

Complaints

We are committed to providing you with exceptional customer service and safe care. However, you have the right to voice concerns at any time, including complaints relating to Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If we should ever fall short of your expectations, we would appreciate hearing from you. We are committed to investigating all concerns.

Please follow these steps if you would like to file a grievance.

  • Step 1: Please tell your physician, nurse, technologist or health care representative about your concern or complaint. They will make every effort to correct the situation.
    • BayCare Customer Relations: (727) 315-7051
    • Bardmoor Surgery Center Nurse: (727) 394-5318
    • Carillon Surgery Center Nurse: (727) 561-2727
    • Tampa Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Center Nurse: (813) 463-9762
    • BayCare (Trinity) Surgery Center Nurse: (727) 372-4006
  • Step 2: If your concern or complaint is not handled to your satisfaction; please tell the supervisor or manager. When necessary, they will refer your concern to the appropriate administrator.
    • BayCare Customer Relations: (727) 315-7051
    • BayCare Ambulatory Surgery Centers Administration: (727) 281-3308
    • Risk Management Department: (727) 519-1275
  • Step 3: If you are still not satisfied, you may also register a complaint about the center, a physician, or an HMO with the Agency for Health Care Administration or the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. To contact these agencies, write or call: