Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
MeritCare Health System
Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
It is the policy of MeritCare Health System to support and care for all patients in a manner and in an environment that promotes quality of life with emphasis placed on dignity, choice and self-determination. In addition, MeritCare will strive to protect and promote patients' rights and responsibilities without interference, coercion or discrimination.
You Have the Right to:
- Receive kind and courteous care.
- Receive treatment and services consistent with acceptable professional standards of practice.
- Have a family member or representative of your choice and your own physician notified promptly of your admission to the hospital.
- Make informed decisions about your care by:
- being informed of your health status,
- being involved in care planning and treatment, and
- being able to request or refuse treatment.
This right should not be used as a way to demand treatments or services deemed medically unnecessary or inappropriate.
- Be assured of personal privacy including confidentiality of health information.
- Receive care in a safe setting and in an environment that preserves dignity.
- Be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.
- Be free from restraint or seclusion that is not medically necessary for your safety.
- Review your medical records and have them explained to you within a reasonable timeframe. MeritCare will actively assist you or your legal representative to gain access to your own medical record as quickly as our record keeping systems permit.
- Prepare an Advance Directive, consistent with state and federal Self-Determination Laws. The directive can be written to express your wishes with respect to treatments, such as the waiving of life sustaining treatment. Health care providers will comply with those directives.
- Consent or decline to take part in research studies. Refusal will not risk access to services.
- Receive coordinated and ongoing care.
- Have your pain assessed and addressed.
- Be informed of MeritCare Health System policies and practices that relate to patient care, treatment, charges for services, and available payment methods.
- Know the identity and duties of individuals providing services to you.
- Discuss any issues or concerns, including ethical dilemmas, with your doctor or the appropriate health system managers. You may also contact our Patient Representative at (701) 234-5876 during regular business hours or the House Administrator after hours and on weekends by calling the switchboard at (701) 234-6000.
- Contact your state's Department of Health:
North Dakota Department of Health
600 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-02200
(701) 328-2352
Minnesota Department of Health
393 Dunlap Street
P.O. Box 64970
St. Paul, MN 55164-0970
(612) 676-5000
You Have The Responsibility To:
- Provide accurate and up-to-date information regarding your health and report any changes in how you feel to your health care providers.
- Ask questions until the plan of medical treatment is clearly understood.
- Make informed decisions.
- Follow the chosen treatment and know the medications you are taking.
- Know your health insurance coverage and what financial obligations you will have.
- Know who your doctor is.
- If you have one, provide a copy of your Advance Directive to your caregiver.
- Respect others' privacy and property and assist staff in the control of noise, smoking and the number of visitors.
- Identify family members and others involved in your care who may have access to protected health information.