We consider you a partner in your hospital care. When you are well informed, participate in treatment decision, and communicate openly with your physician and other health professionals, you help make your care as effective as possible. St. Margaret’s Hospital encourages respect for the personal preferences and values of each individual. 

While you are a patient at St. Margaret’s Hospital, your rights include the following:

You have the right to exercise these rights without regard to sex or cultural, economic, educational, or religious background, or the source of payment for your care.

You have the right to considerate and respectful care.

You have the right to be well informed about your illness, possible treatments, and likely outcomes, and to discuss this information with your physician.

You have the right to know the names and roles of the people treating you.

You have the right to consent to or refuse a treatment, as permitted by law, throughout your hospital stay. If you refuse a recommended treatment, you will receive other needed and available care.

You have the right to have an advance directive, such as a living will or durable power of attorney for health care. These documents express your choices about your future care, or name someone to decide for you if you cannot speak for yourself. If you have a written advance directive, you should provide a copy to the hospital, your family, and your doctor.

You have the right to privacy. The hospital, your physician, and others caring for you will protect your privacy as much as possible.

You have the right to expect that treatment records are confidential unless you give permission to release information, or reporting is required or permitted by law. When the hospital releases records to others, such as insurers, it emphasizes that the records are confidential.

You have the right to reasonable responses to any reasonable requests you may make for service.

You have the right to review your medical records and to have the information explained, except when restricted by law.

You have the right to expect that the hospital will give you necessary health services to the best of its ability. Treatment, referral, or transfer may be recommended. If transfer is recommended or requested, you will be informed of the risks, benefits, and alternatives. You will not be transferred until the other institution agrees to accept you.

You have the right to know if St. Margaret’s has relationships with outside parties that may influence your treatment and care. These relationships may be with educational institutions, other health care providers, or insurers.

You have the right to consent to or decline to take part in research affecting your care. If you choose not to take part, you will receive the most effective care the hospital otherwise provides.

You have the right to be told of realistic care alternatives when hospital care is no longer appropriate.

You have the right to know about hospital rules that affect you and your treatment and about charges and payments methods.

You have the right to know about hospital resources, such as patient representatives or ethics committees that can help you resolve problems and questions about your hospital stay and care.

You have the right to examine and receive an explanation of your bill regardless of your source of payment.

Patient Responsibilities
The care that a patient receives and the results of that care depend partially on the actions of the patient. Because we want you to get well as quickly as possible, St. Margaret’s asks that you be responsible for: