Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Patient Rights

As a patient of Gordon Hospital, you have the right:

to be informed of your rights in a language and form you readily understand
to have impartial access to care, treatment and services regardless of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, handicap or ability to pay
to exercise your rights while receiving care, treatment or services in this facility without coercion, discrimination or retaliation
to have a representative (parent, legal guardian, person with medical power of attorney) exercise your rights when you are incapable of doing so, without coercion, discrimination or retaliation
to be informed (or your representative be informed) of your rights in advance of furnishing or discontinuing patient care, treatment and services whenever possible
to receive care in a safe setting
to be free from all forms of abuse or harassment
to actively participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care
to consent or refuse care, treatment or services after being adequately informed of the benefits and risks of, and alternatives to treatment
to be informed of and to consent or refuse to participate in any unusual, experimental or research project without compromising your access to services
to know the professional status of any person providing you care, treatment or services
to know the reason for any proposed change in the professional staff responsible for your care
to personal privacy
to confidentiality of your clinical records maintained by the facility
to access information contained in your clinical records
to know the reasons for your transfer either within or outside the facility
to know the relationship of the facility to other persons or organizations participating in the provision of your care
to access the cost upon request, itemized when possible, of care, treatment or services rendered within a reasonable period of time, to allow comparison of charges and make cost effective decisions in the purchase of hospital services
to be informed of the source of the facility’s reimbursement for your care, treatment and services and any limitations which may be placed upon your care
to be free from unnecessary use of physical or chemical restraint and/or seclusion as a means of coercion, convenience or retaliation
to exercise advance directives regarding decision at the end of life
to have a family member or representative of your choice and your physician notified promptly of your admission to the hospital
to have pain treated as effectively as possible
to have your family’s informed consent of donation of organs and tissues
to be provided communication of information in a method that is effective for you or your representative
to prompt resolution of grievances

The mechanism to follow for the submission of your written or verbal grievance to the hospital:
1. Contact your direct caregiver or the Department Director
OR
2. Patient Grievance Line – Extension 2568
OR
3. Gordon Hospital
1035 Red Bud Rd
P. O. Box 12938
Calhoun, GA 30701
Attn: Director of Quality Management
OR
4. Georgia Office of Regulatory Services
Two Peachtree St., N. W.
Atlanta, GA 30303-3142
(404) 657-5728

Patient Responsibilities

In the absence of federal or state law mandating specific provisions relating to patient responsibilities, Gordon Hospital and its entities will expect that the patient is responsible:

To provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about present medical conditions, past illnesses, prior hospitalizations, medications and other matters relating to your health.
For reporting to your physician whether you understand your course of treatment and what is expected of you.
For reporting to the physician and/or nurse unexpected changes in your condition.
For following the treatment plan recommended by the physician. You are responsible for informing your physician and other healthcare professionals if you believe that you will be unable to follow the recommended plan.
For your actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow the physician’s instructions.
To be considerate of the physician(s) and healthcare facilities by behaving in a reasonable and responsible manner, considering the nature of your illness.
For following the healthcare facilities’ rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.
For being respectful and considerate of the rights and needs of other patients and healthcare workers. This includes being sensitive to noise level, number of visitors, the smoke free environment, and the property of others.
For providing a copy of the most current and completed advance directive to the hospital.
For keeping appointments, and when unable to do so, for notifying the physician or healthcare facility.
For assuring that the financial obligations of your treatment are fulfilled.