Anna Jaques Hospital recognizes the rights and individuality of each patient. We believe that the recognition of these rights contributes to more effective patient care, greater satisfaction for you, your physician, and for the health care team.

We also believe that you, as a patient, must recognize your responsibilities as they relate to the hospital, your care and treatment and, of course, your health.

Your Rights
The right to:

• Considerate and respectful care
• Effective pain management
• Privacy
• Receive care in a safe environment
• Privacy regarding disclosure of health information
• Be informed about your condition
• Informed consent
• Know the physician responsible for coordinating your care
• Know how the hospital is connected professionally with other hospitals or health care agencies
• Refuse to be examined, observed or treated by students or other hospital staff
• Be advised of experimentation affecting your care
• Be informed of the alternative treatments
• Expect reasonable continuity of care
• Pastoral care and spiritual services
• Make an advanced directive
• Prompt life saving treatment
• Have pain adequately assessed and treated
• Refuse treatment
• Have reasonable requests responded to promptly
• Interpreters at no cost
• Request a different physician
• Confidentiality
• View and receive copies of your medical records in accordance with state law and hospital policy
• Receive copies of bills
• What rules apply to your conduct as a patient
• Of a disabled person to receive equal care
• Receive information relative to financial assistance and free health care
• Receive medical services without discrimination
• Be free of restraints except in circumstances defined by hospital policy
• Be informed of unanticipated outcomes

Your Responsibilities

• Be considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel
• Refrain from the use of tobacco products while hospitalized. Smoking is not allowed on the hospital campus
• Be respectful of the property of other people and the hospital
• Cooperate with all caregivers, ask questions if you do not understand the course of treatment and what is expected of you
• Keep appointments and notify the hospital if you must cancel or reschedule
• Provide accurate and complete information about past illnesses, hospitalizations and medications
• Report unexpected changes and perceived risks in your care to your health care team
• Accept the consequences if you refuse treatment or do not follow doctors' orders
• Recognize that the hospital will not tolerate weapons, threats to staff and substance abuse issues
• Pay hospital bills promptly, provide necessary information for insurance processing and seek answers to any questions you have about your bill
• Complete the patient satisfaction survey so we can improve service and maintain high standards of patient care

Patient Rights and Responsibilities for Pain Management
As a patient of Anna Jaques Hospital you can expect:

• Information about pain and pain relief measures
• A concerned staff committed to pain prevention and management
• Health professionals who respond quickly to reports of pain
• Your reports of pain will be believed
• State-of-the-art pain management
• Competent pain relief health care workers

As a patient, we expect that you will:

• Ask your physician or nurse what to expect regarding pain and pain management
• Discuss pain relief options with your physicians and nurses
• Work with your physician and nurse to develop a pain management plan
• Ask for pain relief when pain first begins
• Help your physician and nurse assess your pain
• Tell your physician or nurse if your pain is not relieved
• Tell your physician or nurse about any concerns you have about taking pain medication