Medical and Dental Care - You have the right to:

Impartial access to quality care and treatment consistent with available resources and generally accepted standards regardless of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, disability, age or sources of payment for care.

Refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and Government regulations, and to be informed of the consequences if you refuse.

Formulate advance directives (living will, durable power of attorney for health care, and treatment preferences) to the extent permitted by law. You will be given information during the admission process about this right, and your social worker can assist you further. Advance directives can also be prepared in Medical Service by talking with the social worker in that service. You are not required to have advance directives to receive medical care.

Respectful Treatment - You have the right to:

Considerate and respectful care with recognition of your personal values and beliefs. You can exercise your cultural and spiritual beliefs if they do not interfere with the well-being of others or your medical treatment. Every effort will be made to maximize your comfort and dignity through pain management. If you are terminally ill, symptoms that can respond to treatment will be treated if that is your wish or that of your surrogate decision maker.

Be addressed by the staff as you wish (such as Mr. or Mrs. Jones, or George or Mary).

Privacy when being interviewed or examined or while bathing, dressing, or toileting.

Make telephone calls in private to anyone you wish.

Request staff to knock before entering your room or bathroom when the door is closed.

Free and private communication with anyone you wish.

Exercise your rights as a citizen.

Be free from physical or chemical restraints except when authorized in writing by a physician for a specific time period and when necessary to protect you from self-injury, or injuring others.

Be free from mental and physical abuse.

Privacy and Confidentiality - You have the right to:

Privacy and confidentiality about your medical care. Within the law, no one except your physician and medical center staff involved in planning or reviewing your care may look at your medical records without your written permission or the written permission of your legal guardian, or as required by law. Individuals not directly involved in your care will not be present without your permission.

Inspect and obtain copies of all records about your care unless medically contraindicated.

To refuse to talk with or see anyone officially connected with the medical center but not directly involved in your care except for Health Administration Service personnel involved with eligibility and third party payer matters.

To refuse to talk with or see anyone not officially connected with the medical center, including visitors and representatives of outside community agencies.

Identity. You have the right to know the name of the physician primarily responsible for your medical care as well as the identity, professional status, and professional credentials of health care personnel involved in your care. You can contact your physician through the nursing staff.

Explanation of Care - You or your legal representative have the right to:

A complete explanation from your physician about your diagnosis, treatment, procedures, and prognosis in terms you can understand. If your physician determines it may be harmful for you to know, the physician will provide the explanation to your next of kin.

Discuss your plan of care and medical problems with the staff and participate in decisions about your care. This includes access to the medical center Ethics Committee if an unresolved ethical issue occurs between you and your physician or treatment team.

Information about the nature and purpose of any technical procedures that will be performed, as well as who will perform the procedures. This includes the possibilities of any risks or serious side effects, problems related to recuperation, probability of success, and medically significant alternatives for care.

Refuse treatment and know the consequences of that decision.

Be advised by your physician, or his/her delegate, of any continuing health care requirements following discharge from the medical center.

Informed Consent - You or your legal representative have the right to:

Be advised in terms you can understand of information needed to make knowledgeable decisions for consent or refusal of treatment. This information will include significant complications, risks, benefits, and alternative treatments available.

Know of any experimental or educational activities involved in your treatment and the right to refuse to participate in any such activity.

Safe Environment - You have the right to:

Care and treatment in a safe environment.

A smoke-free environment.

Medical Center Rules and Regulations - You have a right to be informed about the:

Medical center rules and regulations for patient and visitor conduct. This includes making known to all concerned the visiting hours and not limiting a patient's privileges except on the attending physician's instruction for medical reasons.

Smoking rules and expected compliance with those rules from other individuals.

Way a complaint is submitted, reviewed and resolved. Presentation of a complaint or recommendation does not compromise your access to care. Concerns and complaints should be reported to staff in the unit where the problem exists. If complaints are not resolved within the unit, they will be referred to the service chief. If further review is required, the patient representative will be notified.

General Information - You have the right to:

Wear your own clothing and bring personal possessions if you are a Nursing Home Care Unit or Psychiatry Service patient provided it is not medically contraindicated and space is available.

Send and receive mail addressed to you without it being opened or read by anyone without your permission. If you need help writing a letter, you may ask the staff for assistance.

Consult with a non-specialist at your own expense.

Refuse to do any chores or jobs not included in your plan of care.

Meet with and belong to any church, social club, or group of your choice unless medically contraindicated. You are not required to attend spiritual services or be contacted by a member of the clergy.

Visit outside the Nursing Home Care Unit/medical center with anyone of your choice unless medically contraindicated.

You cannot be transferred to another room, facility or organization, unless:

It is for your own or someone else's health and safety. You can request to be transferred if another patient or visitor is unreasonably disturbing you and, if another room is available.

The medical center cannot meet your medical needs. You may receive a complete explanation, including alternatives to such a transfer. The transfer must be acceptable to the other facility or organization.

You must be given timely notification of transfer or discharge. The medical center staff may ask you to move with short notice, if the health and safety of other patients are endangered, or if your health has suddenly deteriorated.

Patient's Responsibilities

Providing Information - You are responsible to:

Provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to your health.

Let your physician know whether you understand the treatment and what is expected of you and to report unexpected changes in your condition.

Respect and Consideration - You are responsible for being:

Considerate of the rights of other patients and medical center personnel and for assisting in the control of noise, smoking, and the number of visitors.

Respectful of property belonging to other persons and the medical center.

Comply with Medical Care - You are responsible for complying with the medical treatment plan, including follow-up care and keeping appointments, recommended by your health care providers. If the recommended treatment is refused or if instructions are not followed, you will be advised of the consequences. If you refuse the recommended treatment, you will be responsible for your actions.

Follow Rules and Regulations - You are responsible for following the medical center rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.

Report Patient Complaints - You are responsible for helping the Medical Center Director provide the best possible care to all veterans. Patient recommendations, questions, or complaints should be reported to medical center staff where the problem exists. If complaints cannot be resolved within the unit or service, they will be referred by the Medical Center staff to the Patient Representative.

IF A PATIENT IS JUDGED INCOMPETENT, IS FOUND TO BE MEDICALLY INCAPABLE OF UNDERSTANDING THE PROPOSED TREATMENT OR PROCEDURE, IS UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE HIS/HER TREATMENT WISHES OR HAS A COMMUNICATION BARRIER, THE PATIENT'S GUARDIAN, NEXT OF KIN OR LEGALLY AUTHORIZED PERSON IS PERMITTED TO EXERCISE THESE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.