PATIENTINFORMATIONGUIDE
WELCOME
Overtheyears,wehaveneverforgottenthatthehumantouchhasasgreataneffectasthemostpowerfulmedicine.
Forthisreason,ourentirestaffiscommittedtomakingyourstayascomfortableandpleasantaspossible.
Duringyourhospitalization,wewillrespectyourindividuality,dignityandprivacy,whileofferingyouthebestinhealthcare
regardlessofyourpaymentsource,race,sex,color,ancestry,national
origin,age,disability,medicalcondition,maritalstatus,sexualorientation,cultural,economic,educationalorreligiousbackground.
Wewillalsorespectyourrighttobeinformedaboutandparticipateindecisionsregardingyourcare,
informyouoftheprocessforresolutionofcomplaints,
andmakeeveryreasonableefforttograntrequestsforspecialservicestomeetyourindividualneeds.
Atthesametime,wewillmaintainasecureandsafeenvironmentwithinthemedicalcenter,
ensuringthatyourmedicalrecordsremainconfidential,
andencourageyoutocommunicatefreelywithfriendsandfamilythroughvisits,aswellasbyphoneandmail.
Youareaveryimportantpersontous.Ourfirstandonlypriorityistoprovideyou
andyourfamilywithqualityhealthcareservicesinasensitiveandcompassionatemanner.
Wewelcomethisopportunitytoserveyouandyourfamily.
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TABLEOFCONTENTS
Mission, Vision, and Values 3
Patient Experience 4
Your Rights Regarding Medical Information About You 4
Patient Rights 5
Patient Responsibilities 9
Patient Safety 10
Your Right to Make Decisions About Medical Treatment 12
Notice of Privacy Practices 15
How We May Use and Disclose Health Information 16
Complaints 20
A Patient’s Guide to Blood Transfusions 20
Understanding Your Pain – Family and Patient Information 21
Stop Smoking – Be a Quitter 22
Notice of Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities 23
The Ethics Committee 23
Medical Social Work 23
Safety First 24
Interpreters 24
Patient Assessments 25
Infection Prevention 25
Patient and Family Education 26
Condition Reports 26
Understanding and Preventing Blood Clots 26
Going Home 27
Financial Matters 28
MISSIONOur Hospital endeavors to provide comprehensive, quality healthcare in a convenient,
compassionate and cost effective manner.
VISIONOur Hospital is consistently at the forefront of evolving national healthcare reform.
Our organization provides an innovative and integrated healthcare delivery system. We remain ever cognizant of our patients’ needs and desires for high
quality affordable healthcare.
VALUES• COMPASSION •
We provide an environment that is caring and conducive to healing the whole person physically, emotionally and spiritually. We respect the individual needs, desires and rights of our patients.
• QUALITY •We believe in continuous quality of care and performance improvement
as the foundation for preserving and enhancing healthcare delivery. Effective communication and education of our patients, physicians, staff
and the community we serve are essential elements of this process.
• COMPREHENSIVE •We are committed to an integrated healthcare delivery system that
encompasses the entire spectrum of healthcare delivery. This continuum of care encompasses all aspects of an individual’s healthcare.
• COST EFFECTIVENESS •We offer high quality healthcare that is accessible and affordable.
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MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES
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PATIENTEXPERIENCE
Westrivetoprovideoutstandingandcompassionatecareandservice,everystepoftheway.PrimeHealthcarerecognizestheimportanceofthepatientexperience,includingcol-lectingfeedbackfromyouthatwillhelpusbetterunderstandthequalityofcareandexpe-rienceatourfacilities.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorsuggestionsduringyourstay,please
reachouttoyourcaregiveroranyofourleadersandvoiceyourconcerns. Followingyourdischargefromoneofourfacilities,youmayreceiveaphonesurveyask-ingyouaboutyourexperience.Pleasetakeamomenttoprovidehonestfeedback.Wearehereforyouandthankyouforchoosingourhospitalforyourcare.
YOURRIGHTSREGARDING
MEDICALINFORMATIONABOUTYOU
•RighttoInspectandCopy Youhavetherighttoinspectandcopymedicalinformationthatmaybeusedtomakede-cisionsaboutyourcare. Toinspectandcopymedicalinformationthatmaybeusedtomakedecisionsaboutyou,youmustsubmityourrequestinwritingtotheHealthInfor-mationServicesDepartment.Wemaychargeafeefortheservice. Wemaydenyyourrequesttoinspectandcopyincertainverylimitedcircumstances.Ifyouaredeniedaccesstomedicalinformation,youmayrequestthatthedenialbereviewed.Anotherlicensedhealthcareprofessionalchosenbythehospitalwillreviewyourrequestandthedenial.Thepersonconductingthereviewwillnotbethepersonwhodeniedyourrequest.Wewillcomplywiththeoutcomeofthereview.•RighttoAmend Ifyoufeelthatmedicalinformationwehaveaboutyouisincorrectorincomplete,youmayaskustoamendtheinformation.Pleaseaskhospitalstaffaboutthisprocess.•RighttoanAccountingofDisclosures Youhavetherighttorequestan“accountingofdisclosures.”Thisisalistofthedisclosureswemadeofmedicalinformationaboutyouotherthanourusesfortreatment,paymentandhealthcareoperations,(asthosefunctionsaredescribedabove)andwithotherexpectationspursuanttothelaw. Torequestthislistoraccountingofdisclosures,youmustsubmityourre-questinwritingtotheHealthInformationServicesDepartment.Thefirstlistyourequestwithina12-monthperiodwillbefree.Foradditionallists,wemaychargeyouforthecostsofprovidingthelist.•RighttoRequestRestrictions Youhavetherighttorequestarestrictionorlimitationonthemedicalinformationweuseordiscloseaboutyoufortreatment,paymentorhealthcareoperations. Wearenotrequiredtoagreetoyourrequest.Torequestrestrictions,youmustmakeyourrequestinwritingtotheHealthInformationServicesDepartment.•RighttoRequestConfidentialCommunications Youhavetherighttorequestthatwecommunicatewithyouaboutmedicalmattersinacertainwayoratacertainlocation.Forexample,youcanaskthatweonlycontactyouatworkorbymail.Torequestconfidentialcommunications,youmustmakeyourrequestinwritingtotheHealthInformationServicesDepartment.
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PATIENTRIGHTS
Youhavetherightto:1.Considerateandrespectfulcare,andtobemadecomfortable.Youhavetherighttore-spectforyourcultural,psychosocial,spiritual,andpersonalvalues,beliefsandpreferences.Youhavetherighttoparticipateinthedevelopmentandimplementationofhisorherplanofcare.2.Hisorherrepresentative(asallowedunderStatelaw)hastherighttomakeinformeddecisionsregardinghisorhercare.Thepatient’srightsincludebeinginformedofhisorherhealthstatus,beinginvolvedincareplanningandtreatment,andbeingabletorequestorrefusetreatment.Thisrightmustnotbeconstruedasamechanismtodemandtheprovi-sionoftreatmentofservicesdeemedmedicallyunnecessaryorinappropriate.3.Haveafamilymember(orotherrepresentativeofyourchoosing)andyourownphysi-ciannotifiedpromptlyofyouradmissiontothehospital.4.Knowthenameofthelicensedhealthcarepractitioneractingwithinthescopeofhisorherprofessionallicensure,whohasprimaryresponsibilityforcoordinatingyourcare,andthenamesandprofessionalrelationshipsofphysiciansandnon-physicianswhowillseeyou.5.Receiveinformationaboutyourhealthstatus,diagnosis,prognosis,courseoftreatment,prospectsforrecoveryandoutcomesofcare(includingunanticipatedoutcomes)intermsyoucanunderstand.Youhavetherighttoeffectivecommunicationandtoparticipateinethicalquestionsthatariseinthecourseofyourcare,includingissuesofconflictresolu-tion,withholdingresuscitativeservices,andforgoingorwithdrawinglife-sustainingtreat-ment.6.Makedecisionsregardingmedicalcare,andreceiveasmuchinformationaboutanypro-posedtreatmentorprocedureasyoumayneedinordertogiveinformedconsentortore-fuseacourseoftreatment.Exceptinemergencies,thisinformationshallincludeadescrip-tionoftheprocedureortreatment,themedicallysignificantrisksinvolved,alternatecoursesoftreatmentornon-treatmentandtherisksinvolvedineach,andthenameofthepersonwhowillcarryouttheprocedureortreatment.7.Requestorrefusetreatment,totheextentpermittedbylaw.Youhavetherighttoleavethehospitalevenagainsttheadviceofmembersofthemedicalstaff,totheextentpermit-tedbylaw.8.Beadvisedifthehospital/licensedhealthcarepractitioneractingwithinthescopeofhisorherprofessionallicensureproposestoengageinorperformhumanexperimentationaf-fectingyourcareortreatment.Youhavetherighttobefullyinformedofandtoconsentorrefusetoparticipateinanyunusual,experimentalorresearchprojectwithoutcompromis-inghis/heraccesstoservices.
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9.Reasonableresponsestoanyreasonablerequestsmadeforservice.10.Tobeinformedoftherighttohavepaintreatedaseffectivelyaspossible.Therighttoappropriateassessmentandmanagementofyourpain,informationaboutpain,painreliefmeasuresandtoparticipateinpainmanagementdecisions.Youmayrequestorrejecttheuseofanyorallmodalitiestorelievepain,includingopiatemedication,ifyousufferfromseverechronicintractablepain.Thedoctormayrefusetoprescribetheopiatemedication,butifso,mustinformyouthattherearephysicianswhospecializeinthetreatmentofse-verechronicpainwithmethodsthatincludetheuseofopiates.11.Therighttoformulateadvancedirectivestohavehospitalstaffandpractitionerswhoprovidecareinthehospitalcomplywiththesedirectives.Thisincludesdesignatingadeci-sionmakerifyoubecomeincapableofunderstandingaproposedtreatmentorbecomeun-abletocommunicateyourwishesregardingcare.Allpatients’rightsapplytothepersonwhohaslegalresponsibilitytomakedecisionsregardingmedicalcareonyourbehalf,withoutcoercion,discriminationorretaliation.12.Therighttopersonalprivacy.Casediscussion,consultation,examinationandtreatmentareconfidentialandshouldbeconducteddiscreetly.Youhavetherighttobetoldtherea-sonforthepresenceofanyindividual.Youhavetherighttohavevisitorsleavepriortoanexaminationandwhentreatmentissuesarebeingdiscussed.Privacycurtainswillbeusedinsemi-privaterooms.13.Therighttotheconfidentialityofhisorherclinicalrecords.Therighttoconfidentialtreatmentofallcommunicationsandrecordspertainingtoyourcareandstayinthehospi-tal.Youwillreceiveaseparate“NoticeofPrivacyPractices”thatexplainsyourprivacyrightsindetailandhowwemayuseanddiscloseyourprotectedhealthinformation.14.Therighttoreceivecareinasafesetting.Therighttobefreefromallformsofabuseorharassment.Tobefreefrommental,physical,sexualorverbalabuseandneglect,exploita-tionorharassment.Youhavetherighttoaccessprotectiveandadvocacyservicesincludingnotifyinggovernmentalagenciesofneglectorabuse.15.Therighttobefreefromrestraintsandseclusionofanyformthatarenotmedicallynecessaryorareusedasameansofcoercion,discipline,convenience,orretaliationbystaff.16.Reasonablecontinuityofcareandtoknowinadvancethetimeandlocationofap-pointmentsaswellastheidentityofthepersonsprovidingthecare.17.Beinformedbythephysician,oradelegateofthephysician,ofcontinuinghealthcarerequirementsandoptionsfollowingdischargefromthehospital.Youhavetherighttobeinvolvedinthedevelopmentandimplementationofyourdischargeplan.Uponyourre-quest,afriendorfamilymembermaybeprovidedthisinformationalso.18.Knowwhichhospitalrulesandpoliciesapplytoyourconductwhileapatient.
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19.Thehospitalmusthavewrittenpoliciesandproceduresregardingthevisitationrightsofpatients,includingthosesettingforthanyclinicallynecessaryorreasonablerestrictionorlimitationthatthehospitalmayneedtoplaceonsuchrightsandthereasonfortheclini-calrestrictionorlimitation.Ahospitalmustmeetthefollowing:
ü Informeachpatient(orsupportperson,whereappropriate)ofhisorhervisitationrights,includinganyclinicalrestrictionoflimitationonsuchrights,whenheorsheisinformedofhisorherotherrightsunderthissection.Thehospitalmayestablishrea-sonablerestrictionsuponvisitation,includingrestrictionsuponthehoursofvisitationandnumberofvisitors.Otherlimitationsmayincludelimitationsorrestrictionsofvis-itationsfromthepresenceofaparticularvisitorasitwouldendangerthehealthorsafetyofapatient,amemberofthehealthfacility,stafforothervisitortothehealthfa-cility,orwouldsignificantlydisrupttheoperationsofthefacility.ü Informeachpatient(orsupportperson,whereappropriate)oftheright,subjecttohisorherconsent,toreceivethevisitorswhomheorshedesignates;including,butnotlimitedto,aspouse,adomesticpartner(includingsamesexdomesticpartners),anoth-erfamilymember,orafriend,andhisorherrighttowithdrawordenysuchconsentatanytime.ü Notrestrict,limitorotherwisedenyvisitationprivilegesonthebasisofrace,color,nationalorigin,religion,sex,genderidentity,sexualorientation,ordisability.ü Ensurethatallvisitorsenjoyfullandequalvisitationprivilegesconsistentwithpatientpreferences.
20.Haveyourwishesconsidered,ifyoulackdecision-makingcapacity,forthepurposesofdeterminingwhomayvisit.Themethodofthatconsiderationwillcomplywithfederallawandbedisclosedinthehospitalpolicyonvisitation.Ataminimum,thehospitalshallin-cludeanypersonslivinginyourhouseholdandanysupportpersonpursuanttofederallaw.21.Therighttoaccessthecost,itemizedwhenpossible,ofservicesrenderedwithinarea-sonableperiodoftimeaswelltherighttoexamineandreceiveanexplanationofthehospi-tal’sbillregardlessofthesourceofpayment.22.Exercisetheserightswithoutregardtosex,race,color,religion,ancestry,nationalorigin,age,disability,medicalcondition,maritalstatus,registereddomesticpartner,sexualorientation,educationalbackground,economicstatusorthesourceofpaymentforcare. 23.Youhavetherighttoknowtheprofessionalstatusofanypersonprovidinghis/hercare/services.TherighttoknowthereasonforanyproposedchangeintheProfessionalStaffresponsibleforhis/hercare.24.Therighttoaccessinformationcontainedinhisorherclinicalrecordswithinareason-abletimeframe.Thehospitalmustnotfrustratethelegitimateeffortsofindividualstogainaccesstotheirownmedicalrecordsandmustactquicklyasitsrecordkeepingsystempermits.25.Therighttoknowthereasonsforhis/hertransfereitherwithinoroutsidethehospital.
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26.Therelationship(s)ofthehospitaltootherpersonsororganizationsparticipatingintheprovisionofhis/hercare.27.Therighttobeinformedofthesourceofthehospital’sreimbursementforhis/herser-vices,andofanylimitationswhichmaybeplaceduponhis/hercare.28.Thepatient’sfamilyhastherightofconsentfortissueandorgandonation.(SeeOrganDonation)29.TherighttointerpretiveservicesforcertainindividualwhospeaklanguagesotherthanEnglish,alternativecommunicationtechniquesoraidesforthosewhoaredeaforblind,orotherstepsasneededtoeffectivelycommunicate.30.Fileagrievance.Ifyouwanttofileagrievancewiththishospital,youmaydosobywritingorbycallingthehospital.TheRiskManagement/PerformanceImprovementdepartmentwillrevieweachgrievanceandprovideyouwithawrittenre-sponsewithin7days.Ifthegrievanceisnotresolvedwithin7daysafollowupcallwillbemadeevery30daysuntilthegrievanceisresolved.Thewrittenresponsewillcontainthenameofapersontocontactatthehospital,thestepstakentoinvestigatethegrievance,theresultsofthegrievanceprocess,andthedateofcompletionofthegrievanceprocess.Con-cernsregardingqualityofcareorprematuredischargewillalsobereferredtotheappro-priateUtilizationandQualityControlPeerReviewOrganization(PRO).31.Tofileacomplaint,usethehospital’sgrievanceprocessand/orcontacttheDepartmentlistedbelowforyourstate:
AL AlabamaDepartmentofPublicHealth 800-252-1818CA CaliforniaDepartmentofPublicHealth 916-558-1784FL FloridaDepartmentofHealth 850-245-4339GA GeorgiaDepartmentofPublicHealth 404-657-2700IN IndianaStateDepartmentofHealth 317-233-1325KS KansasDepartmentforAgingandDisabilityServices 800-842-0078MI MichiganDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices 517-373-3740MO MissouriDepartmentofHealthandSeniorServices 573-751-6400NV BureauofHealthcareQualityandCompliance 775-684-1030NJ NewJerseyDepartmentofHealth 800-792-9770OH OhioDepartmentofHealth 614-466-3543PA PennsylvaniaDepartmentofHealth 877-724-3258RI StateofRhodeIslandDepartmentofHealth 401-222-5960TX TexasDepartmentofStateHealthServices 888-963-7111
32.TofileacomplaintwithanAccreditationProgram,thecontactinformationis: TheJointCommission:OneRenaissanceBlvd.,OakbrookTerrace,IL60181•800-994-6610
HealthcareFacilitiesAccreditationProgram:142EastOntarioSt.,Chicago,IL60611•800-621-1773DNVGL-Healthcare:400TechneCenterDr.,Suite100,Milford,OH45150•866-523-6842
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PATIENTRESPONSIBILITIES
Sothatyoumaycontributeeffectivelytoyourhealthcare,youhave,asapatientorpatient’srepresentative,thefollowingresponsibilities:
1.Behonestandaccuratewhenaskedforinformationaboutyourmedicalhistoryandeverythingthathappenstoyouasapatient.
2.Participateactivelyinagreed-upondecisionsregardingyourhealth.3.Notifyyourdoctorornurseifyouhaveanyconcernaboutyourcareornotice,orthinkyounotice,orperceiveanychangesinyourhealth.4.Askpromptlyforclarificationifyoudonotunderstandwhatisaskedofyou,orwhyitisasked.5.Letyourdoctorornurseknowifyouareconcernedaboutatreatment,orifyoufeelyoucannot,orwillnot,followacertaintreatmentplanandtoberesponsibleforthecon-sequencesifyourefusetreatmentordonotfollowinstructions.6.Examineyourbillandaskanyquestionsyoumayhaveregardingthechargesormeth-odsofpayments,andforassuringthatthefinancialobligationsofyourhealthcarearefulfilledaspromptlyaspossible.7.Followhospitalrulesandregulationsaffectingpatientcareandconduct,tobeconsid-erateofotherpatientsandhospitalstaffandtheirproperty,andforassistingincontrol-lingthenoiseandnumberofyourvisitors.8.Providethehospitalwithacopyofanyadvancedirectivesyoumayhaveexecuted.9.Contributetoasafeenvironmentofcare,thereforethefollowingisprohibited:
• Possessionofweapons,dangerousobjects,alcohol,illegaldrugsanddrugsnotpre-scribedbythepatient’sphysician.
• Visitingwhileundertheinfluenceofdrugsand/oralcohol.
Thehospital’sobligationtoprovideasafeenvironment
forpatientcaremustoverridethepatient’srighttoprivacy.
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PATIENTSAFETYInoureffortstoprovideasafeenvironmentfreefrommistakes,weencouragepatientstoaskquestionsregardingallaspectsoftheirmedicalcare.Beinginvolvedineverydecisionaboutyourhealthcarecanleadtoabetteroutcomes.1.Thesinglemostimportantwayyoucanhelpoptimizeyourcareandhelptopreventer-rorsistobeanactivememberofyourhealthcareteam.ASKQUESTIONS!Activelypartici-pateineverydecisionaboutyourhealthcarefromstarttofinish.2.Makesureallofyourdoctorsandnursesknowaboutanymedicationsyouaretaking–includingprescriptions,over-the-countermedication,anddietarysupplementssuchasvitaminsandherbs.Justbecauseitisherbalornaturaldoesnotmeanitissafe.Tellyourdoctorandnurseaboutanyallergiesoradversereactionsthatyouhavehadtomedica-tion(s)orfoodproducts.3.Besuretoaskforinformationaboutyourmedicationwhenitisprescribedandwhenyournursegivesittoyou.Makesurethatcaregiversgiveyouinformationintermsthatyoucanunderstand.IfyoudonotunderstandanyinformationitisOKtoask!4.Askwhyatestortreatmentisneededandhowitmayhelpyou.
5.Whenyouhaveanytypeofsurgery,askforinformationaboutyoursurgeryintermsthatyoucanunderstand.Whowillbeas-sistingwithmysurgery?Whatisinvolved?Howlongwillittake?Whataretherisksinvolved?Howlongwillmyrecoverybe?Whataretheexpectedoutcomes?6.Ifyouarehavingsurgery,makesurethatyou,yourdoctor,andyoursurgeonallagreeandareclearonexactlywhatwillbedone.Beinvolvedinmarkingthecorrectsiteofyoursurgerywiththeword“YES.”
7.Donotbeafraidtoaskquestionsofanyonewhoisinvolvedinyourcare.Askyourdoctorornurseaboutresultsofalltestsperformed,yourcondition,andtreatmentduringyourhospitalstay.8.Provideallhealthprofessionalsinvolvedinyourcarewithaccurateinformationaboutyourself.Thisisespeciallyimportantifyouhavemanyhealthproblems.9.Upondischargefromthehospital,askyourdoctorsandnursestoexplainthetreatmentplanyouwillneedtofollowathome.
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10.Ifyouwillbetakingmedicationsafterdischargefromthehospital,youwillbegivenin-structionsalongwithalistofmedications.Topromotemedicationsafety,itishighlyrec-ommendedthatyoukeepacurrentlistofyourmedicationsinyourwalletorpursesoyoucansharethisinformationwithyourdoctors,retailpharmacistandifyouarere-admittedwithyourhealthcareprovider.11.Askafamilymemberorfriendtobeherewithyoutobeyouradvocateandaskques-tionsifyoucan’t.Evenifyouthinkyoudon’tneedhelpnow,youmightneeditlater.AskaboutanAdvanceDirectiveifyoudonothaveone.Ifyoudo,besuretogiveacopytoyourprimaryphysicianandthehospital.12.Practicinggoodhandwashingisthesinglemostim-portantthingwecanalldotostopthespreadofinfection.Itisahealthyhabitforanyone,whetheryouareinthehospital,atworkorathome.Encourageyourvisitorstowashtheirhandsandpracticegoodhandwashingyourself.Ifyoudonotseethehealthcareproviderwashingtheirhandswithsoapandwaterorusingthewaterlessalcoholhandsanitizerwhenenteringyourroomtoprovidecare,remember,itisOKtoask! 13.Thereisacallbuttonatyourbedsideandabutton/pullcordinthebathroomtosum-monassistance.Justpressthebuttonorpullthecordandastaffmemberwillrespondinpersonorbyintercom.Pleasedon’thesitatetouseitifyouhavequestionsorneedhelp.14.Wecannotberesponsibleforvaluablesthatyoukeepinyourpossession.Youshould
leaveyourjewelry,cellphones,electronicdevices,money(largesum),wallets,andpursesathometoensuretheirsafekeeping.Pleasebealertconcern-ingyourbelongingssuchasdentures,contactlenses,eyeglasses,hearingaids,andcomparablepersonalbelongings.Pleasestoretheseitemscare-fullywhennotinuse.Neverleavethemonamealtrayorwrapthemintissuepaper.Ifyouforgettoleaveyourvaluablesathomeanddonotwishto
entrustthemtoafriendorrelative,theymaybedepositedintheHospitalsafeforsafe-keeping.Askyournurseforassistance.
Communicationaboutallaspectsofyourcare,treatment,andservicesisanimportantpartofourcultureofsafety.
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YOURRIGHTTOMAKEDECISIONSABOUTMEDICALTREATMENT
Afederallawrequiresustogiveyouthisinformation.
Wehopethisinformationwillhelpincreaseyourcontroloveryourmedicaltreatment.Q:WHODECIDESABOUTTREATMENT?A:Yourdoctorswillgiveyouinformationandadviceabouttreatment.Youhavetherighttochoose.Youcansay“Yes”totreatmentsyouwant.Youcansay“No”toanytreatmentthatyoudon’twant-evenifthetreatmentmightkeepyoualivelonger.Q:HOWDOIKNOWWHATIWANT?A:Yourdoctormusttellyouaboutyourmedicalconditionandaboutdifferenttreatments,sideeffects,andpainmanagementalternatives.Q:CANOTHERPEOPLEHELPWITHMYDECISIONS?A:Yes.Patientsoftenturntotheirrelativesandclosefriendsforhelpinmakingmedicaldecisions.Youcanaskthedoctorsandnursestotalkwithyourrelativesandfriends.
Q:CANICHOOSEARELATIVEORFRIENDTOMAKEHEALTHCAREDECISIONSFORME,INTHEEVENTIAMUNABLETODOSO?A:Yes.Youmaytellyourdoctorthatyouwantsomeoneelsetomakehealthcaredecisionsforyou.Q:WHATIFIBECOMETOOSICKTOMAKEMYOWNHEALTHCAREDECISIONS?A:Ifyouhaven’tnamedasurrogate,yourdoctorwillaskyourclosestavailablerelativeorfriendtohelpdecidewhatisbestforyou.Q:WHOCANMAKEANADVANCEDIRECTIVE?A:Youcanifyouare18yearsorolderandarecapableofmakingyourownmedicaldeci-sions.Youdonotneedalawyer.Q:WHOCANINAMEASMYAGENT?A:Youcanchooseanadultrelativeoranyotherpersonyoutrusttospeakforyouwhenmedicaldecisionsmustbemade.Q:DOIHAVETOWAITUNTILIAMSICKTOEXPRESSMYWISHESABOUTHEALTHCARE?A:No.Infact,itisbettertochoosebeforeyougetverysickorhavetogointoahospital,nursinghome,orotherhealthcarefacility.YoucanuseanAdvancedHealthCareDi-rectivetosaywhoyouwanttospeakforyouandwhatkindoftreatmentsyouwant.Q:WHENDOESMYAGENTBEGINMAKINGMYMEDICALDECISIONS?A:Usually,ahealthcareagentwillmakedecisionsonlyafteryoulosetheabilitytomakethemyourself.But,ifyouwish,youcanstateinthePowerofAttorneyforHealthCarethatyouwanttheagenttobegindecisionsimmediately.
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Q:HOWDOESMYAGENTKNOWWHATIWOULDWANT?A:Afteryouchooseyouragent,talktothatpersonaboutwhatyouwant.Sometimestreat-mentdecisionsarehardtomake,andittrulyhelpsifyouragentknowswhatyouwant.Youcanalsowriteyourwishesdowninyouradvancedirective.Q:WHATIFIDON’TWANTTONAMEANAGENT?A:Youcanstillwriteyourwishesinyouradvancedirective,withoutnaminganagent.Youcansaythatyouwanttohaveyourlifecontinuedaslongaspossible.Oryoucansaythatyouwouldnotwanttreatmenttocontinueyourlife.Also,youcanexpressyourwishesabouttheuseofpainrelieforanyothertypeofmedicaltreatment.EvenifyouhavenotfilledoutawrittenIndividualHealthCareInstruction,youcandis-cussyourwisheswithyourdoctor,andaskyourdoctortolistthosewishesinyourmedicalrecord.Oryoucandiscussyourwisheswithyourfamilymembersorfriends.Butitwillprobablybeeasiertofollowyourwishesifyouwritethemdown.Q:WHATIFICHANGEMYMIND?A:Youcanchangeorcancelyouradvancedirectiveatanytimeaslongasyoucancom-municateyourwishes.Tochangethepersonyouwanttomakeyourhealthcaredecisions,youmustsignastatementortellthedoctorinchargeofyourcare.Q:WILLISTILLBETREATEDIFIDON’TMAKEANADVANCEDIRECTIVE?A:Absolutely.Youwillstillgetmedicaltreatment.Wejustwantyoutoknowthatifyoube-cometoosicktomakedecisions,someoneelsewillhavetomakethemforyou.Q:WHATHAPPENSWHENSOMEONEELSEMAKESDECISIONSABOUTMYTREAT-MENT?A:Thesamerulesapplytoanyonewhomakeshealthcaredecisionsonyourbehalf:ahealthcareagent,asurrogatewhosenameyougavetoyourdoctor,orapersonappointedbyacourttomakedecisionsforyou.AllarerequiredtofollowyourHealthCareInstruc-tionsor,ifnone,yourgeneralwishesabouttreatment,includingstoppingtreatment.Ifyourtreatmentwishesarenotknown,thesurrogatemusttrytodeterminewhatisinyourbestinterest.Thepeopleprovidingyourhealthcaremustfollowthedecisionsofyouragentorsurrogateunlessarequestedtreatmentwouldbebadmedicalpracticeorineffec-tiveinhelpingyou.Ifthiscausesdisagreementthatcannotbeworkedout,theprovidermustmakeareasonableefforttofindanotherhealthcareprovidertotakeoveryourtreat-ment.Q:HOWCANIGETMOREINFORMATIONABOUTMAKINGANADVANCEDIRECTIVE?A:Askyourdoctor,nurse,socialworker,orhealthcareprovidertogetmoreinformationforyou.Youcanhavealawyerwriteanadvancedirectiveforyou,oryoucancompleteanadvancedirectivebyfillingintheblanksonaform.
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Remember:
APowerofAttorneyforHealthCareletsyounameanagenttomakedecisionsforyou.Youragentcanmakemostmedicaldecisions–notjustthoseaboutlifesustainingtreatment–whenyoucan’tspeakforyourself.
Youcanalsoletyouragentmakedecisionsearlier,ifyouwish.
YoucancreateanIndividualHealthcareInstructionbywritingdownyourwishesabouthealthcareorbytalkingwithyourdoctorandaskingthedoctortorecordyourwishesinyourmedicalfile.
Ifyouknowwhenyouwouldorwouldnotwantcertaintypesoftreatment,anInstructionprovidesagoodwaytomakeyourwishescleartoyourdoctorandto
anyoneelsewhomaybeinvolvedindecidingabouttreatmentonyourbehalf.
ThesetwotypesofAdvanceHealthcareDirectivesmaybeusedtogetherorseparately.
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NOTICEOFPRIVACYPRACTICES
EffectiveDate:March,2013
THISNOTICEDESCRIBESHOWMEDICALINFORMATIONABOUTYOUMAYBEUSEDANDDISCLOSEDANDHOWYOUCANGETACCESS
TOTHISINFORMATION.PLEASEREVIEWITCAREFULLY.
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthisnotice,pleasecontacttheHealthInformationManagement.
WHOWILLFOLLOWTHISNOTICEThisnoticedescribesourhospital’spracticesandthatof:• Anyhealthcareprofessionalauthorizedtoenterinformationintoyourhospitalchart• Alldepartmentsandunitsofthehospital• Anymemberofavolunteergroupweallowtohelpyouwhileyouareinthehospital• AllEmployees,staffandotherhospitalpersonnelAlltheseentities,sitesandlocationsfollowthetermsofthisnotice.Inaddition,theseenti-ties,sitesandlocationsmaysharemedicalinformationwitheachotherfortreatment,paymentorhealthcareoperationspurposesdescribedinthisnotice.
OURPLEDGEREGARDINGMEDICALINFORMATION
Weunderstandthatmedicalinformationaboutyouandyourhealthispersonal.Wearecommittedtoprotectingmedicalinformationaboutyou.Wecreatearecordofthecareandservicesyoureceiveatthehospital.Weneedthisrecordtoprovideyouwithqualitycareandtocomplywithcertainlegalrequirements.Thisnoticeappliestoalloftherecordsofyourcaregeneratedbythehospital,whethermadebyhospitalpersonneloryourpersonaldoctor.Yourpersonaldoctormayhavedifferentpoliciesornoticesregardingthedoctor’suseanddisclosureofyourmedicalinformationcreatedinthedoctor’sofficeorclinic.Thisnoticewilltellyouaboutthewaysinwhichwemayuseanddisclosemedicalinfor-mationaboutyou.Wealsodescribeyourrightsandcertainobligationswehaveregardingtheuseanddisclosureofmedicalinformation.Wearerequiredbylawto:• Makesurethatmedicalinformationthatidentifiesyouiskeptprivate(withcertain exceptions);• Giveyouthisnoticeofourlegaldutiesandprivacypracticeswithrespecttomedicalin-formationaboutyou;and• Followthetermsofournoticethatiscurrentlyineffect.
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HOWWEMAYUSEANDDISCLOSEHEALTHINFORMATION
Thefollowingcategoriesdescribedifferentwaysthatwemayuseanddisclosemedicalinformation.Foreachcategoryofusesordisclosureswewillexplainwhatwemeanandtrytogivesomeexamples.Noteveryuseordisclosurein
acategorywillbelisted.However,allofthewayswearepermittedtouseanddiscloseinformationwillfallwithinoneofthecategories.
•DisclosureatYourRequest.Wemaydiscloseinformationwhenrequestedbyyou.Thisdisclosureatyourrequestmayrequireawrittenauthorizationbyyou.•ForTreatment.Wemayusemedicalinformationaboutyoutoprovideyouwithmedicaltreatmentorservices.Wemaydisclosemedicalinformationaboutyoutodoctors,nurses,technicians,healthcarestudents,orotherhospitalpersonnelwhoareinvolvedintakingcareofyouatthehospital.Forexample,adoctortreatingyouforabrokenlegmayneedtoknowifyouhavediabetesbecausediabetesmayslowthehealingprocess.Inaddition,thedoctormayneedtotellthedietitianifyouhavediabetessothatwecanarrangeforappro-priatemeals.Differentdepartmentsofthehospitalalsomaysharemedicalinformationaboutyouinordertocoordinatethedifferentthingsyouneed,suchasprescriptions,labworkandx-rays.Wealsomaydisclosemedicalinformationaboutyoutopeopleoutsidethehospitalwhomaybeinvolvedinyourmedicalcareafteryouleavethehospital,suchasotheracutefacilities,skillednursingfacilities,homehealthagencies,andphysiciansoroth-erpractitioners.Forexample,wemaygiveyourphysicianaccesstoyourhealthinfor-mationtoassistyourphysicianintreatingyou.•ForPayment.Wemayuseanddisclosemedicalinformationaboutyousothatthetreat-mentandservicesyoureceiveatthehospitalmaybebilledtoandpaymentmaybecollect-edfromyou,aninsurancecompanyorathirdparty.Forexample,wemayneedtogiveyourhealthplaninformationaboutyoursurgeryyoureceivedatthehospitalsoyourhealthplanwillpayusorreimburseyouforthesurgery.Wemayalsotellyourheathplanaboutatreatmentyouaregoingtoreceivetoobtainpriorapprovalortodeterminewhetheryourplanwillcoverthetreatment.Wemayalsoprovidebasicinformationaboutyouandyourhealthplan,insurancecompanyorothersourceofpaymenttopractitionersoutsidethehospitalwhoareinvolvedinyourcare,toassisttheminobtainingpaymentforservicestheyprovidetoyou.Ifyouwishtopayforthishospitalizationtreatmentoutofpocket,infull,youhavetherighttorestrictdisclosuresofprotectedhealthinformationtoyourhealthplan.Pleasecontactabusinessofficeassociatebeforetheendofyourhospitalization.RefertotheBusinessOfficephonenumber.•HospitalDirectory.Wemayincludecertainlimitedinformationaboutyouinthehospi-taldirectorywhileyouareapatientatthehospital.Thisinformationmayincludeyourname,locationinthehospital,yourgeneralcondition(e.g.,good,fair,etc)andyourreli-giousaffiliation.Unlessthereisaspecificwrittenrequestfromyoutothecontrary,thisdi-rectoryinformation,exceptforyourreligiousaffiliation,mayalsobereleasedtopeoplewhoaskforyoubyname.Yourreligiousaffiliationmaybegiventoamemberoftheclergy,suchasapriestorrabbi,eveniftheydon’taskforyoubyname.Thisinformationisre-leasedsoyourfamily,friendsandclergycanvisityouinthehospitalandgenerallyknowhowyouaredoing.
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•ForHealthCareOperations.WemayuseanddiscloseHealthInformationaboutyouforhealthcareoperationpurposes.Theseusesanddisclosuresarenecessarytomakesurethatallofourpatientsreceivequalitycareandforouroperationandmanagementpurpos-es.Forexample,wemayuseHealthInformationtoreviewthetreatmentandservicesweprovidetoensurethatthecareyoureceiveisofthehighestquality.Wemayalsocombinemedicalinformationaboutmanyhospitalpatientstodecidewhatadditionalservicesthehospitalshouldoffer,whatservicesarenotneeded,andwhethercertainnewtreatmentsareeffective.Wemayalsodiscloseinformationtodoctors,nurses,technicians,medicalstudents,andotherhospitalpersonnelforreviewandlearningpurposes.Wemayalsocombinethemedicalinformationwehavewithmedicalinformationfromotherhospitalstocomparehowwearedoingandseewherewecanmakeimprovementsinthecareandser-vicesweoffer.Wemayremoveinformationthatidentifiesyoufromthissetofmedicalin-formationsoothersmayuseittostudyhealthcareandhealthcaredeliverywithoutlearn-ingwhothespecificpatientsare.•FundraisingActivities.Wemayusemedicalinformationaboutyou,ordisclosesuchin-formationtoafoundationrelatedtothehospital,tocontactyouinanefforttoraisemoneyforthehospitalanditsoperations.Youhavetherighttooptoutofreceivingfundraisingcommunications.Ifyoureceiveafundraisingcommunication,itwilltellyouhowtooptout.Weonlywouldreleasecontactinformation,suchasyourname,addressandphonenumberandthedatesyoureceivedtreatmentorservicesatthehospital.•MarketingandSale.Mostusesanddisclosuresofmedicalinformationformarketingpurposes,anddisclosuresthatconstituteasaleofmedicalinformation,requireyourau-thorization.•IndividualsInvolvedinYourCareorPaymentforYourCare.Wemayreleasemedicalinformationaboutyoutoafriendorfamilymemberwhoisinvolvedinyourmedicalcare.Wemayalsogiveinformationtosomeonewhohelpspayforyourcare.Unlessthereisaspecificwrittenrequestfromyoutothecontrary,wemayalsotellyourfamilyorfriendsyourconditionandthatyouareinthehospital.Wealsomaynotifyyourfamilyaboutyourlocationorgeneralconditionordisclosesuchinformationtoanentityassistinginadisas-terreliefeffort.Ifyouarriveattheemergencydepartmenteitherunconsciousorotherwiseunabletocommunicate,wearerequiredtoattempttocontactsomeonewebelievecanmakehealthcaredecisionsforyou(e.g.,afamilymemberoragentunderahealthcarepowerofattorney).
•Research.Undercertaincircumstances,wemayuseanddiscloseHealthInformationforresearchpurposes.Forexample,aresearchprojectmayinvolvecomparingthehealthre-coveryofallpatientswhoreceivedonemedicationortreatmenttothosewhoreceivedan-other,forthesamecondition.Allresearchprojects,however,aresubjecttoaspecialap-provalprocess.Thisprocessevaluatesaproposedresearchanditsuseofmedicalinfor-mation,tryingtobalancetheresearchneedswithpatients’needforprivacyoftheirmedi-calinformation.Beforeweuseordisclosemedicalinformationforresearch,theprojectwillgothroughaspecialapprovalprocess,butwemay,however,disclosemedicalinformationaboutyoutopeoplepreparingtoconductaresearchproject,forexample,tohelpthemlookforpatientswithspecificmedicalneeds,aslongasthemedicalinformationtheyreviewdoesnotleavethehospital.
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•AsRequiredbyLaw.WewilldiscloseHealthInformationwhenrequiredtodosobyin-ternational,federal,state,orlocallaw.•ToAvertaSeriousThreattoHealthorSafety.WemayuseanddiscloseHealthInfor-mationwhennecessarytopreventorlessenaseriousthreattoyourhealthandsafetyortothehealthandsafetyofthepublicoranotherperson.Anydisclosure,however,willbetosomeonewhomaybeabletohelppreventthethreat.
SPECIALCIRCUMSTANCES
•OrganandTissueDonation.Ifyouareanorgandonor,wemayreleaseHealthInfor-mationtoorganizationsthathandleorganprocurementororgan,eyeortissuetransplanta-tionortoanorgandonationbank,asnecessary,tofacilitateorganortissuedonationandtransplantation.•MilitaryandVeterans.Ifyouareamemberofthearmedforces,wemayreleaseHealthInformationasrequiredbymilitarycommandauthorities.WemayalsoreleaseHealthIn-formationtotheappropriateforeignmilitaryauthorityifyouareamemberofaforeignmilitary.•Workers’Compensation.WemayreleaseHealthInformationforworkers’compensa-tionorsimilarprograms.Theseprogramsprovidebenefitsforwork-relatedinjuriesorill-nesses.•PublicHealthRisks.WemaydiscloseHealthInformationforpublichealthactivities.Theseactivitiesgenerallyincludedisclosurestopreventorcontroldisease,injuryordisabil-ity;reportbirthsanddeaths;reportchild,elderanddependentadultabuseorneglect;re-portreactionstomedicationsorproblemswithproducts;notifypeopleofrecallsofprod-uctstheymaybeusing;trackcertainproductsandmonitortheiruseandeffectiveness;noti-fyapersonwhomayhavebeenexposedtoadiseaseormaybeatriskforcontractingorspreadingadiseaseorcondition;andconductmedicalsurveillanceofthehospitalincertainlimitedcircumstancesconcerningworkplaceillnessorinjury.WealsomayreleaseHealthInformationtoanappropriategovernmentorauthorityifwebelieveapatienthasbeenavictimofabuse,neglectordomesticviolence;however,wewillonlyreleasethisinformationifyouagreeorwhenwearerequiredorauthorizedbylaw.TonotifyemergencyresponseemployeesregardingpossibleexposuretoHIV/AIDS,totheextentnecessarytocomplywithstateandfederallaws•HealthOversightActivities.WemaydiscloseHealthInformationtoahealthoversightagencyforactivitiesauthorizedbylaw.Theseoversightactivitiesinclude,orexample,au-dits,investigations,inspections,andlicensure.Theseactivitiesarenecessaryforthegov-ernmenttomonitorthehealthcaresystem,governmentprograms,andcompliancewithcivilrightslaws.•Coroners,MedicalExaminersandFuneralDirectors.WemayreleaseHealthInfor-mationtoacoronerormedicalexaminer.Thismaybenecessary,forexample,toidentifyadeceasedpersonordeterminethecauseofdeath.WealsomayreleaseHealthInformationtofuneraldirectorsasnecessaryfortheirduties.
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•LawsuitsandDisputes.Ifyouareinvolvedinalawsuitoradispute,wemaydiscloseHealthInformationinresponsetoacourtoradministrativeorder.WealsomaydiscloseHealthInformationinresponsetoasubpoena,discoveryrequest,orotherlawfulprocessbysomeoneelseinvolvedinthedispute,butonlyifeffortshavebeenmadetotellyouabouttherequest(whichmayincludewrittennoticetoyou)ortoobtainanorderprotect-ingtheinformationrequested.•LawEnforcement.WemayreleaseHealthInformationifaskedbyalawenforcementofficialforthefollowingreasons:(1)inresponsetoacourtorder,subpoena,warrant,summonsorsimilarprocess;(2)limitedinformationtoidentifyorlocateasuspect,fugi-tive,materialwitness,ormissingperson;(3)aboutthevictimofacrimeif,undercertainlimitedcircumstances,weareunabletoobtaintheperson’sagreement;(4)aboutadeathwebelievemaybetheresultofcriminalconduct;(5)aboutcriminalconductonourprem-ises;and(6)inemergencycircumstancestoreportacrime,thelocationofthecrimeorvic-tims,ortheidentity,description,orlocationofthepersonwhocommittedthecrime.•NationalSecurityandIntelligenceActivities.WemayreleaseHealthInformationtoauthorizedfederalofficialsforintelligence,counter-intelligence,andothernationalsecuri-tyactivitiesauthorizedbylaw.•ProtectiveServicesforthePresidentandOthers.WemaydiscloseHealthInformationtoauthorizedfederalofficialssotheymayprovideprotectiontothePresident,otherau-thorizedpersonsorforeignheadsofstateorconductspecialinvestigations.•SecurityClearances.Wemayusemedicalinformationaboutyoutomakedecisions,re-gardingyourmedicalsuitabilityforasecurityclearanceorserviceabroad.WemayalsoreleaseyourmedicalsuitabilitydeterminationtotheofficialsintheU.S.DepartmentofStatewhoneedaccesstothatinformationforthesepurposes.•InmatesorIndividualsinCustody.Ifyouareaninmateofacorrectionalinstitutionorunderthecustodyofalawenforcementofficial,wemyreleaseHealthInformationtotheappropriatecorrectionalinstitutionorlawenforcementofficial.Thisreleasewouldbemadeonlyifnecessary(1)fortheinstitutiontoprovideyouwithhealthcare;(2)toprotectyourhealthandsafetyorthehealthandsafetyofothers;or(3)forthesafetyandsecurityofthecorrectionalinstitution.•MultidiciplinaryPersonnelTeams.Wemaydisclosehealthinformationtoamultidisci-plinarypersonnelteamrelevanttotheprevention,identification,managementortreat-mentofanabusedchildandthechild’sparents,orelderabuseandneglect.•SpecialCategoriesofInformation.Insomecircumstances,yourhealthinformationmaybesubjecttorestrictionsthatmaylimitorprecludesomeusesordisclosuresdescribedinthisnotice.Forexample,therearespecialrestrictionsontheuseordisclosureofcertaincategoriesofinformation–e.g.,testsforHIVortreatmentformentalhealthconditionsoralcoholanddrugabuse.Governmenthealthbenefitprograms,suchasMedi-Cal,mayalsolimitthedisclosureofbeneficiaryinformationforpurposesunrelatedtotheprogram.
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COMPLAINTSIfyoubelieveyourprivacyrightshavebeenviolated,youmayfileacomplaintwiththis
hospital’sHealthInformationManagement.Allcomplaintsmustbemadeinwriting.Youmayalsocontact:
OfficeforCivilRightsU.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices
200IndependenceAvenueSW,Room509F,HHHBuilding,WashingtonD.C.20201Phone800-368-1019•FAX202-619-3818•TDD800-537-7697•email:[email protected]
Youwillnotbepenalizedforfilingacomplaint.
OtherusesofMedicalInformation
Otherusesanddisclosuresofmedicalinformationnotcoveredbythisnoticeorthelawsthatapplytouswillbemadeonlywithyourwrittenpermission.
Ifyouprovideuspermissiontouseordisclosemedicalinformationaboutyou,youmayrevokethatpermission,inwriting,atanytime.Ifyourevokeyour
permission,thiswillstopanyfurtheruseordisclosureofyourmedicalinformationforthepurposescoveredbyyourwrittenauthorization,exceptifwehavealreadyactedinrelianceonyourpermission.Youunderstandthatweareunabletotakebackanydisclosureswehavealreadymadewithyourpermission,andthatwe
arerequiredtoretainourrecordsofthecarethatweprovidedtoyou.
APATIENT’SGUIDETOBLOODTRANSFUSIONSUSINGYOUROWNBLOOD–AUTOLOGOUSDONATION
Usingyourownbloodwillreduce,butnoteliminate,theriskoftransfusion-relatedinfec-tionsandallergicreactions.Askyourdoctorifautologousdonationisappropriateforyou.
DONATINGBEFORESURGERYBloodbankscandrawyourbloodandstoreitforyouruse.Thisprocessusuallyisper-formedforaplannedsurgery,socoordinatingthedonationswiththedateofsurgeryisanimportantconsideration.
DONATINGDURINGSURGERYImmediatelybeforesurgery,yourdoctormaybeabletoremovesomeofyourbloodandreplaceitwithotherfluids.Aftersurgery,thebloodthatwasremovedmaybereturnedtoyou.Bloodthatnormallyislostanddiscardedduringsurgerymaybecollected,processedandreturnedtoyou.
DONATINGAFTERSURGERYBloodthatislostaftersurgerymaybecollected,filteredandreturnedtoyou.Thisprocessmayminimizeoreliminatetheneedtobetransfusedwithsomeoneelse’sblood.
USINGSOMEONEELSE’SBLOODIfyouchoosenottodonateyourownblood,orifmorebloodisrequiredthanexpected,youwillreceivebloodfromcommunityordesignateddonors,ifnecessary.
DONORSHospitalsmaintainasupplyofdonorbloodtomeettransfusionneeds.Volunteer(un-paid)communityblooddonorsanddesignateddonors,orpersonsyouknowwhomaywanttogiveblood,arescreenedbyathoroughmedicalhistory,andtested.Advanceno-ticeisrequiredtoaccommodatearequestfordesignateddonors.
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UNDERSTANDINGYOURPAIN–FAMILYANDPATIENTINFORMATION
PAINRELIEFPainmedicineworksbestwhenyourelax.• Placeapillowwhereyourbodyhurts.Thissupportsthepainfulareaandishelpfulwhendeepbreathingandcoughingaftersurgery.• Usecoldorwarmpackstoeaseyourpain.Backmassageshelprelaxtightmuscles.• Breatheinandoutslowlytorelaxmuscleswhenyougetinandoutofbedorachair.Takeabreathbeforeyoumove,thenslowlybreatheoutasyougetupormove.• Listentosoftmusic.• Talkwithsomeone;forexample,stafffromthePastoralCareorSocialServicesdepart-ments.PAINRATINGSCALES
Thepainscaleisonewaywecanunderstandhowyou’refeeling.Remember,itisveryimportantforyournursesordoctortoknowifthepainmedicinedoesn’thelp,orifyourpainsuddenlychanges.MANAGINGYOURPAIN•Everyonefeelsandreactstopainindifferentways.Howyoufeelpaincandependonwhathappenedtoyouinthepastandhowworriedyouareaboutwhatiscausingyourpain.•Whenyouareadmittedtothehospital,yournursewillaskyouhowmuchpainyouarewillingtotolerateinordertomovearoundinbed,walk,cough,breathedeeply,andsleep.•Duringyourstay,thenursesandyourdoctorwilloftenaskaboutyourpaintomakesurethepainlevelisacceptable.Theywillalsoaskwhereithurtsandhowitfeels.Herearesomewordstohelpdescribeyourpain:cramp,sharp,ache,burning,dull,constant,off-and-on.Yourdoctorandnurseswillcomparethepainyoucantolerateandthewayyoude-scribethepain,todecidewhattypeofmedicineandotherpainreliefmethodstouse.•Whenyouleavethehospital,yournursewilltalktoyouaboutsafewaystotakecareofthepainathome.Donotbeafraidtotakepainmedicationwhenyouneedit,followingthedirectionsontheprescription.•Youaretheonlyonewhoknowshowmuchpainyoufeelandwhatmakesitfeelbetter.Behonestwiththenursesordoctor.Donotworryaboutbeingbraveorbotheringthenurses.Takingcareofpainisanimportantpartoftakingcareofyourhealth.
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STOPSMOKING–BEAQUITTER
Womenwhosmokeandtakebirthcontrolpillsare10-20timesmorelikelytohaveastrokeorheartattack.
BEAQUITTERANDGETRIDOFYOURBESTFRIEND
Peoplearemorelikelytosucceedinquittingwhentheyknowwhatobstaclestheyfaceandhaveaplantohandlethem.•Setyourquitdatetoprepareyourselfandthosearoundyou.•Stopsmokingontheplannedday.•Knowwhattodoinsituationsthattriggeryoursmoking.Triggersincludetalkingonthephone,driving,othersmokers,aftersex,aftereating,beingsad,angryorstressed.•Planforpotentialsideeffectslikeirritability,feelingtired,gastrointestinalproblems,weightgain,andcough.Thesesymptomslastforonlyashorttimeandyourmetabolismreturnstonormalquickly.
SMOKING
Toprovideahealthfulandcomfortableenvironmentforallpatientsandvisitors,wemain-tainasmokefreeenvironment.Patientsandvisitorsarenotallowedtosmokeany-whereinthehospital,includingthecafeteria,restroomsorlounges.Smokingisalsoprohibitedonthegrounds,exceptwheredesignatedbysignage.
ResourcesandSupportforSmokingCessation
RESOURCESCONTACTINFORMATION
American Cancer Society 1-800-227-2345 www.cancer.org
American Heart Association 1-800-242-8721 www.americanheart.org
American Lung Association 1-800-586-4872 www.lungusa.org
SOURCES CONTACTINFORMATION
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NOTICEOFACCESSIBILITYFORPERSONSWITHDISABILITIES[Section504.45C.F.R.§84.22(f)]
OurHospitalandallprogramsandactivitiesareaccessibletoanduseablebydisabledper-sons,includingpersonswhoaredeaf,hardofhearing,orblind,orwhohaveothersensoryimpairments.Accessfeaturesmayinclude:•Convenientoff-streetparkingdesignatedspecificallyfordisabledperson.•Curbcutsandrampsbetweenparkingareasandbuildings.•Levelaccessintofirstfloorlevelwithelevatoraccesstoallotherfloors.•Fullyaccessibleoffices,meetingrooms,bathrooms,publicwaitingareas,cafeteria, patienttreatmentareas,includingexaminingroomsandpatientwards.•Afullrangeofassistiveandcommunicationaidsprovidedtopersonswhoaredeaf, hardofhearing,orblind,orwithothersensoryimpairments. Thereisnoadditionalchargeforsuchaids.Someoftheseaidsmayinclude:
ü Qualifiedsignlanguageinterpretersforpersonswhoaredeaforhardofhearing.ü Atwenty-fourhour(24)telecommunicationdevice(TTY/TDD)whichcanconnect
thecallertoallextensionswithinthefacilityand/orportable(TYY/TDD)units,forusebypersonswhoaredeaf,hardofhearing,orspeechimpaired.
ü Readersandtapedmaterialfortheblindandlargeprintmaterialsforthevisually-impaired.
ü FlashCards,Alphabetboardsandothercommunicationboards.ü Assistivedevicesforpersonswithimpairedmanualskills.
Ifyourequireanyoftheaidslistedabove,pleaseletthereceptionistoryournurseknow.
THEETHICSCOMMITTEESometimesadifficultchoicemustbemadefromtwoormorealternatives,noneofwhichcompletelyprovidesasatisfactoryanswer.TheEthicsCommitteemaybecomposedofphy-sicians,hospitalstaffmembers,andcommunitymembers,anditfunctionsasanadvisorybodytotheHospitalregardingethicalandmoralissueswhichariseintheprovisionofmedicalcare.AccesstotheEthicsCommitteeisavailabletopatientsandtheirfamiliesuponrequest.Askyournurseforaccess.
MEDICALSOCIALWORKOurMedicalSocialWorkStaffisapartofthehealthcareteamthatisworkingtoassurethatthesupportandcompassionatecareourpatientsandfamiliesneedduringhospitalizationisthere.Wecanassistyouandyourfamilyindealingwithemotional,socialand/oreco-nomicstresseswhichmayoccurasaresultofillnessandhospitalization.Wearealsospecialistsinidentifyingthemanycommunity,stateandfederalresourcesthatmaybeofhelptoyouintheweeksahead.Ifyouneedhelpinsortingoutyourneeds,askyournursetocontactasocialworkerforyou.
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SAFETYFIRSTYourwell-beingisofprimaryimportancetous.Forthisreason,wehaveequippedyourbedwithsiderailstokeepyousafewhenyouaremedicatedorasleep.Pleaseaskforassistanceifyouwishtolowerorraisethem.Whenyougetoutofbed,pleasedon’trelyonyourbed-sidetableforsupport.Itcanshiftunderyourweight.Also,weaskthatyouwearnon-skidslipperswhenwalkingaroundtheunit,andthatyourequestassistancewhengettinginoroutofabedorchair,unlessotherwiseinstructedbyyournurseordoctor.Makesureyouandyourfamilyknowyourallergiesandmedications.
ASK,ASK,ASKKnowallthewho,what,when,whereandwhyaboutthecareandtreatmentyouaretore-ceive.Expecteveryoneinvolvedinyourcaretointroducethemselvesbyname,andtowearanidentificationbadge.Makesuretotellyourhealthcareprofessionalifyouthinkheorshehasyouconfusedwithanotherpatient.Tellthenurseordoctorifyouthinkyouareabouttoreceivethewrongmedicationorifsomethingdoesn’tseemright.Don’tassumeanything.
SHAREINFORMATIONWeaskthatyouopenlydiscussyourcompletehealthhistorywithyourhealthcareteam.Thisincludesanymedicinesyoutake,anysurgeriesyou'vehad,oranyallergiesyoumayhave.
PROVIDEYOURIDENTIFICATIONForyoursafety,ourteammayaskyouthesamequestionsmanytimes,includingyourfullnameanddateofbirth,tomakesureyoureceivethecorrecttreatmentorservices.Theywillmostoftendothisbefore:givingamedication;takingbloodorothersamples;andoth-ertreatmentsorprocedures.Thesestepshelpensureyoureceivethebestpossiblecare.
NOTIFYUSOFANYCHANGEINYOURCONDITIONIfsomethingdoesn’tseemright,oryoufeelthatyourconditionisworsening,alertyournurse,whowillassessyoursituation.
INTERPRETERSBecauseweprovidehealthcareservicestopeoplewithculturallydiversebackgrounds,ourinterpretingservicesincludethetranslationphoneoruseofanoutsidecompanyforin-personinterpreting.Ifyouneedtheirhelpinunderstandinganyaspectofyourcare—orinexpressingyourconcerns—yournursewillarrangefortheirassistance.Thereisnochargeforthisservice.Signlanguageinterpretersareavailableaswell.
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PATIENTASSESSMENTSEachpatientwillreceiveaninitialnursingassessmentuponadmission.Thisinformationwillhelpustoidentifyandprioritizeyouroveralltreatmentplan.Thescope,intensityandtimelinessoffurtherassessmentswillbedefinedbyyourhealthcareteambasedonyourdiagnosis,caresetting,desireforcareandresponsetoprevioustreatment.Anassessmentofyourdischargeplanningneedswillalsobeginwithin8hoursofyouradmission.Dis-chargeplanningisacollaborativeprocessandwillinvolveyou,yourfamilyandqualifiedindividualsonthehealthcareteam.
INFECTIONPREVENTION Healthcareproviderscomeintocontactwithmanygerms.That'swhytheyshouldcleantheirhandswithsoapandwateroruseaspecialcleansinggelbeforetreatingyou-eveniftheyusegloves.Anotherwaytohelppreventthespreadofinfectionsisthroughrespirato-ryhygiene.Tellyourcaregiversimmediatelyifyouhaveflusymptoms,suchasacoughorsneeze.Alwaysremembertocleanyourhandsaftercoughing,sneezing,andusingtissues. Infectionscanbespreadthroughtheairandbycontactwithclothing,hands,personalitemsorhealthcareequipment.Thebestwaytostopthespreadofinfectionistowashyourhands.Washyourhandsthoroughlyandoften–afterusingthebathroom,touchingsoileditems,orcoughingandsneezing.Usethehandsanitizerlocatedonthewalloutsideyourroom,orusesoapandwaterforatleast20seconds. Whencoughingorsneezing,ifyoudon’thaveatissue,coughorsneezeintoyoursleeve.Remembertoputyourusedtissueinthewastebasket,andimmediatelyusehandsanitizerorsoapandwaterifyouareable.Youmayalsobeaskedtoputonasurgicalmasktoprotectothers. Dependingonyourillness,symptomsormedicalhistory,youmaybeplacedin“isola-tionprecautions”.Thesemeasuresarenec-essaryforyourprotectionandtopreventthespreadofdiseasetootherpatients,staffandvisitors.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorneedtoknowwhythisprotectionisnecessary,pleasespeakwithyournurseorphysician.Whileyouarein“isolation”,yourfriendsandfamilyneedtofollowtheserules:• Visitthenurses’stationbeforeenteringtheroom.Protectiveclothingwillbeprovided.• Beforeenteringtheroom,washyourhandswithsoapandwaterorusehandsanitizer.• Visitorsarelimitedtotwoatatimeandshouldnotbeillwhenvisiting.• Forthesafetyofourpatients,thoseunder18yearsofageshouldnevervisitapatientin
isolation.• Asfewitemsaspossibleshouldbebroughtintotheroom.
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PATIENTANDFAMILYEDUCATIONWebelievethatpatienteducationisoneofthemostimportantwayseverypatientcanhelptheirownrecovery.Knowingwhatiswrongwithyouandwhattreatmentsareavailable,allowyoutohelpmakethedecisionsaboutyourcarethatyouwant.Weknowthateveryonehashisorherownwaysoflearning.Wewanttohelpyoulearnaboutyourconditionintheeasiestwaypossible.Youwillbeaskedquestionsabouthowyoulearnbest,ifyouhaveanyreligiousorculturalbeliefsthatwillaffectourteaching.Thetypesoftopicswewanttocoverincludehowtobesafe,nutrition,howtosafelytakeyourmedicines,howtouseanyequipmentyouneedandanyquestionsyouhaveaboutyourdiagnosis.
CONDITIONREPORTSWhenfriendscalltoinquireaboutyourcondition,thecallwillbedirectedtoyourroom.Ifyou’dpreferthatwewithholdallinfor-mation,includingyourconditionandlocationwithinthehospital,pleasenotifyyournurse.
KNOWYOURMEDICATIONS
PrimeHealthcareiscommittedtoprovidinghighqualityandsafepatientcare.Thisin-cludesprovidingyouwithimportantinformationaboutyourmedicationsduringyourstaywithus.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorconcerns,pleasediscussthesewithamemberofyourhealthcareteam.
IFYOUNEEDHELPSuicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more lives each year than traffic accidents. Suicide is always intended to eliminate or manage pain that an individual finds unbearable, it is fueled by feelings of despair. Suicide doesn’t just happen it is a result of a person’s level of pain exceeding their coping resources. There is help available if you or someone you know is at risk for Suicide. You can learn more about Suicide and Suicide Prevention at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/learn/riskfactors.aspx. If you or someone you know needs to talk to someone immediately please call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Call 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255 or go to your nearest Emergency Room.
UNDERSTANDING&PREVENTINGBLOODCLOTSBloodclots(deepveinthrombosisorDVT)mostoftenoccurinpeoplewhocan'tmovearoundwellorwhohavehadrecentsurgeryoraninjury.Duringyourstay,youwillbeas-sessedtofindoutifyouareatriskforbloodclots.Ifyouarefoundtobeatrisk,youwillbetreatedaccordinglyandprovidededucation.
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ORGANDONATIONS
Whensomeonedies,itisoftenpossibleforotherlivestobesavedormadebetterthroughthedonationoftheirorgansandtissues.Werealizethatthedeathofalovedoneisaverydifficulttimeandtakethisintoconsiderationwhendiscussingthepossibilityofdonation.Wearerequiredbylawtoreferourpatientstoourlocalorgandonationagencywhomaydiscusstheoptionoforgan/tissuedonation.Manyfamilieshavetakencomfortinthisdif-ficulttimeinknowingthatsomeoneelse’slifewasmadebetterthroughthedonationoftheirlovedones’organs/tissues.
GOINGHOMECASEMANAGEMENT
TheCaseManagementstaffareexperiencedprofessionalswhocollaborativelymonitorandcoordinateyourcarewhileassessingyourneedsonanongoingbasisduringyourstay.Theyworkcloselywithyourphysicianandthehealthcareteam,aswellasyourinsurer,toassureyoureceivethehighestqualitycare.YourCaseManagementStaffwillworkwithyouandyourfamilytoarrangeforappropriatepostdischargeneeds.
DISCHARGEPLANNINGThefirstthingmostpeoplethinkaboutwhentheyenterahospitalis,“WhencanIgoHome?”Goinghomefromthehospitalortoanotherfacilitycanpresentspecialneedsandchallenges.Pleaseletyournurseoranymemberofyourhealthcareteamknowifyouhaveanyspecialconcernsregardingyourneedsafterleavingthehospitalasearlyaspossible.Yourhealthcareteambeginsthinkingandformulatingaplanwithyouforyourdischargeearlyinyourhospitalstay.Letyournurseknowifyourequestadischarge
planevaluationfromtheCaseManager.YoumayalsorequestaCaseManagertodiscusschangesandquestionsyouhaveaboutyourdischargeplanningandneeds.Avarietyofhealthcareteammemberswillhelpminimizeanyproblemsandassistyouintransitioningfromonelevelofcaretoanother.Incollaborationwithyouandyourfamilyandthephysician,yourcasemanager,dischargeplanner,socialworkerandnursecanassistinarrangingtheappropriateafterhos-pitalservicesyoumayneed.Theseservicesmayincludehomehealthcare,
skillednursingfacilities,and/orresourcestoenhancethesuccessofyourhospitalstay.
LEAVINGTHEHOSPITALWhenyouandyourdoctordecideyouareready,youwillleavethehospitaltocontinueyourrecoveryathomeoratatransitionalfacility.Beforeyougo,yourphysicianandnursewillreviewyourdischargepapersanddiscussyourpost-hospitalcarewithyouandyourfamily.Makesureyouunderstandyourphysician’sinstructions.Theentirehealthcareteamisavailabletoassistinansweringyourquestions.Don’tforgettoarrangeforaridehomewitharelativeorfriendwellinadvanceofyourdischarge.
P A T I E N T I N F O R M A T I O N G U I D E
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KNOWHOWTOCAREFORYOURSELFATHOMERecoveringfromanillnessorinjurycanbechallenging,andyouandyourfamilymaybeconcernedabouthowyouaregoingtomanageyourcareafteryouarehome.Yourphysi-cian,nurses,CaseManagementteam,andthehospitaldischargeteamwillgiveyouwrittendischargeinstructions,andreviewthemwithyousothatyouunderstandhowtocareforyourselfafteryouleavethehospital.It'simportanttofollowtheseinstructionsforthebestpossiblerecovery.
FINANCIALMATTERS
YOURBILL
Weknowthatmedicalbillscanbeconfusing.Inanefforttosimplifymatters,wewillassistyouinverifyingyourinsuranceandidentifyingpriorauthorizationrequirements,deducti-blesandcopayments.Pleasebepreparedtopayallapplicableinsurancedeductibles,andcopaymentsbeforeyouenterthehospitaloratthetimeyouareadmitted.Afteryouleavethehospital,wewillbillyourinsurancecompanydirectly.Oncewehavereconciledyouraccountwithyourinsurancecompany,youwillreceiveabillforanyre-mainingcopaymentsordeductions,aswellasforanynon-covereditemsandservices.Foryourconvenience,youmaypaybycash,check,Discover,AmericanExpress,Visa,orMas-terCard.Ifyouhavequestionsaboutourbillingprocedures—orinquiriesaboutyourhos-pitalbill—wewillbehappytoanswerthem.PleasecallourbusinessofficeonMondaythroughFriday,from8:00a.m.to4:30p.m.Checkyourhospitalforspecifichours.Inadditiontoyourhospitalbill,youmayalsoreceiveseparatebillsfromyourdoctor,anes-thesiologist,radiologist,pathologist,andotherspecialistswhocaredforyou.
MEDICAREIfyouareenrolledinMedicare,wewillsendyouabillonlyifyouhaveanoutstandingde-ductibleamountorhaveincurredchargesfornon-covereditemsorservices.Thisalsoap-pliestopatientsenrolledinsupplementalpolicies.Iftherearenouninsureditems,wewillbillMedicaredirectlyandyouwillnotreceiveabillfromus.TheQualityImprovementOrganizationsKeproandLivantaworkunderthedirectionoftheCentersforMedicare&MedicaidServices(CMS).Ifyouhaveconcernsaboutthecareyouhavereceived,youcancalltheCIOlistedforyourstate:
Region1:PA,NJ,RI Livanta 877-588-1123Region2:GA,FL KEPRO 844-455-8708Region3:TX,AL KEPRO 844-430-9504
Region4:KS,MO,IN,MI,OH KEPRO 855-408-8557Region5:CA,NV Livanta 877-588-1123
NOTES:
NOTES:
070-034 (2/16)