We believe that patients who understand and participate in their treatment achieve better results. Please take a moment and familiarize yourself with your rights and responsibilities as a patient.

Patient Rights 

• The right to be fully informed in advance fo care or treatment and to actively participate in the planning of his/her care, planning and treatment during hospitalization and discharge planning; 
• The right to consent or refuse treatment after being adequately informed of the benefits and risks of, and alternatives to treatment;
• The right to be fully informed of and to consent or refuse to participate in any unusual, experimental or research project without compromising his/her access to service; 
• The right to know the professional status of any person providing his/her care/services;
• The right to know the reasons for any proposed change in the Professional Staff responsible for his/her care;
• The right to personal privacy.  The right to be treated with consideration and respect.  The right to protective oversight while a patient in the hospital;
• The right to confidentiality of his/her clinical records maintained by the facility; 
• The right to access information contained in his/her clinical records and the right to receive copies of the record for a reasonable fee;
• The right to know the reasons for his/her transfer either within or outside the facility;
• The relationship(s) to other persons or organizations participating in the provision of his/her care; 
• The right to access the cost, itemized when possible, of services rendered within a reasonable period of time;
• The right to be informed of the source of the facilities' reimbursement for his/her services and of any limitations which may be placed upon his/her care;
• The right to be free from unnecessary use of physical or chemical restraint and/or seclusion and a means of coercion, convenience or retaliation.  The right to be free from abuse, neglect or harassment; 
• The right to exercise advance directive regarding decisions at the end of life in accordance with Federal and State Patient Self-Determination Act(s); 
• The right to have a family member or representative of his/her choice and his/her own physician notified promptly of his/her admission to the hospital; 
• Informed of the right to have pain treated as effectively as possible;
• The right to have personal possessions reasonable protected;
• The right to be informed of the hospital's grievance policies and procedures, including who to contact and how.  The right to file a grievance and expect a prompt investigation and resolution.  The right to a written reply to their grievance;
• The patient's family has the right of informed consent of donation of organs and tissues; and
• The right to receive care in a safe setting. 

Patient Responsibilities

• The patient is responsible for providing physicians and medical staff with accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications and other matters relating to the patients health;
• The patient has responsibility for reporting unexpected changes in his/her condition to members of his/her healthcare team;
• The patient is responsible for recognizing the effect of lifestyles on his/her personal health and observing the medical center's no-smoking policy and physician-directed dietary restrictions;
• The patient and his/her visitors are responsible for being considerate of the needs of other patients, physicians and medical center staff.

If You Have Questions or Concerns

At Northeast Regional Medical Center, we treat our patients with fairness and concern, recognizing your needs and satisfying them to the extent possible.  If you have any questions or problems that have not been addressed to your satisfaction, or if you have a special need you would like to have addressed, call our Patient Care Management Department at extension 660-785-1190.

Your Satisfaction is Our Top Priority

If you or your family has a complaint or grievance, you may contact the Patient Advocate/Patient Safety Hotline at 660-785-1322.  If you or your family wishes to speak to the Patient Advocate directly, you may dial 660-785-1183.  You can express suggestions and concerns to help improve our service to our community.