Patient Rights and Responsibilites

You have the right to:

• An interpreter if you are deaf or do not understand English
• Polite and respectful treatment
• A safe and comfortable place in the hospital or clinic
• The right medical care
• Talk to your doctors to help you understand your sickness/illness, and to know what the plan is and what will happen
• Be told the names of your doctors and other staff
• Privacy and confidentiality
• Help the doctors decide plans for your treatment
• Refuse to join research studies
• Your religion and culture
• A "Health Care Directive" (a paper telling your doctor what you want and don't want for your future health care
• Talk to the patient representative if you have a complaint

You should:

• Tell your doctor everything about your body and health. Tell your doctor what problems you are having now and before, and what medicines you take.
• Ask questions
• Tell your doctor or nurse if problems change or medicines change
• Respect other patients that need rest
• Respect staff
• Pay bills on time
• Take care of hospital equipment: TTYs, light flashers, etc.