The Hospital and the Patient
Upon your admission, you will receive a copy of the Patient Bill of Rights. A copy of these rights is posted in each patient room. These rights represent our commitment to your care, comfort, and safety while in the hospital.
Safety and health care delivery is enhanced when the patient is a partner in the health care process. The hospital needs your participation regarding the following responsibilities:
- Provide information. Patients and families, as appropriate, must provide, to the best of their knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, medical history, hospitalizations, medications and other matters relating to the patient’s health. Patients and families must report perceived risks to care and unexpected changes in the patient’s medical condition.
- Ask questions. Ask questions when you do not understand the care, treatment, or what you are expected to do.
- Follow instructions. Follow the instructions and medical orders of doctors, nurses and other allied health professionals. Express any concerns about your ability to follow your health care plan. Hospital staff will make every effort to adapt the plan to your needs and limitations. If we disagree with adaptations to the care plan, we will inform you of the consequences of failing to follow the recommended plan.
While in the hospital, we ask that you:
- Cooperate with hospital personnel.
- Be considerate of other patients, hospital staff and property.
- Help control noise and the number of visitors.
- Follow hospital rules and regulations.
- Comply with the hospital’s “No Smoking” policy.
- Provide information necessary for processing your insurance coverage.
- Be responsible for any item of your bill not covered by your insurance.
- Provide an Advance Directive (i.e. Living Will, Durable Power of Attorney, etc.) or advise the hospital that there is no Advance Directive.
Your Rights as a Patient
State of New Jersey – Hospital Patients Rights
Each patient at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital is entitled to know their rights when they are admitted to the hospital. These rights include:
Medical Care
To receive the care and health services that the hospital is required by law to provide.
To receive an understandable explanation from your physician of your complete medical condition, recommended treatment, expected results, risks involved, and reasonable medical alternatives. If your physician believes that some of this information would be detrimental to your health or beyond your ability to understand, the explanation must be given to your next of kin or guardian.
To give informed, written consent prior to the start of specified, non-emergency medical procedures or treatments. Your physician should explain to you – in words you understand – specific details about the recommended procedure or treatment, any risks involved, time required for recovery, and any reasonable medical alternatives. To refuse medication and treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of this act, unless the situation is life-threatening or the procedure is required by law.
To be included in experimental research only if you give informed, written consent. You have the right to refuse to participate.
All patients have the right to pain relief.
As a patient at Robert Wood Johnson University 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.
Communication and Information
To be informed of the names and functions of all health care professionals providing you with personal care.
To receive, as soon as possible, the services of a translator or interpreter if you need one to help you communicate with To be informed of the names and functions of any outside health care and education institutions involved in your treatment. You may refuse to allow their participation.
To be informed, upon request, of the hospital’s written policies and procedures regarding lifesaving methods and the use or withdrawal of life support mechanisms. To be advised in writing of the hospital’s rules regarding the conduct of patients and visitors.
To be informed about the outcomes of care including unanticipated outcomes.
Medical Records (Health Information Management Services Department)
To have prompt access to the information in your medical record. If your physician feels that this access is detrimental to your health, your next of kin or guardian has a right to see your records.
The Health Information Management Services Department is open from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday Friday. For information on how to obtain copies of your medical record, you can call the department at (732) 937-8717.
To obtain a copy of your medical record, at a reasonable fee, within 30 days after written request to the hospital.
Cost of Hospital Care
To receive a copy of the hospital payment rates. If you request an itemized bill, the hospital must provide one and explain any questions you may have. You have a right to appeal any charges and to an explanation of how to appeal.
To be informed by the hospital if part or all of your bill will not be covered by insurance. The hospital is required to help you obtain any public assistance and private health care benefits to which you may be entitled.
Transfers
To be transferred to another facility only when you, your family, or your guardian has made the request, or in instances where the hospital is unable to provide you with the care you need.
To receive an advance explanation from a physician of the reasons for your transfer and possible alternatives.
Personal Needs
To be treated with courtesy, consideration, and respect for your dignity and individuality.
To have access to storage space in your room for private use. The hospital must also have a system to safeguard your personal property.
Freedom from Abuse and Restraints
To freedom from physical and mental abuse.
To freedom from restraints, unless they are authorized by a physician for a limited period of time to protect the safety of you or others.
Privacy and Confidentiality
To have physical privacy during medical treatment and personal hygiene functions, unless you need assistance.
To confidential treatment of information about you. Information in your records will not be released to anyone outside the hospital without your approval, unless it is required by law.
Discharge Planning
To receive information and assistance from your attending physician and other health care providers if you need to arrange for continuing health care after your discharge from the hospital.
To receive sufficient time before discharge to arrange for continuing health care needs.
To be informed by the hospital about any appeal process to which you are entitled by law if you disagree with the hospital’s discharge plans.
Legal Rights
To treatment and medical services without discrimination based on age, religion, national origin, gender, sexual preferences, handicap, diagnosis, ability to pay, or source of payment.
To exercise all your constitutional, civil, and legal rights.
Private Duty Nursing
To contract directly with a New Jersey licensed nursing professional of the patient’s choosing for private professional nursing care during his or her hospitalization. A professional nurse so contracted shall adhere to hospital policies and procedures. The hospital, upon request, shall provide the patient or designee with a list of local nonprofit professional nurses association registries that refer nurses for private professional nursing care.
Questions and Complaints
To present questions or grievances to a designated hospital staff member (Patient Representative, Extension 8501) and to receive a response in a reasonable period of time. The hospital must provide you with the address and telephone number of the New Jersey Department of Health Agency that handles questions and complaints. You may directly contact the NJ Department of Health Complaint Hotline at 1 (800) 792-9770.
This list of patient rights is an abbreviated summary of the current New Jersey law and regulations governing the rights of hospital patients.
For more complete information, consult NJ Department of Health regulations at NJAC 8:43 G4 or Public Law 1989-Chapter 170, available through your hospital.
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