It is the policy of Union Hospital to support and inform you of your rights and responsibilities. These rights are extended to each patient regardless of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, language, or ability to pay.

The patient has a right to:

  1. Receive considerate, respectful, and compassionate care that supports his or her dignity.
  2. Be provided care in a safe environment, free from all forms of abuse and neglect, including verbal, mental, physical, and sexual abuse.
  3. Have a medical screening exam and be provided stabilizing treatment for emergency medical conditions and labor.
  4. Be free from restraints and seclusion. Restraint or seclusion may only be used to ensure your immediate physical safety or that of others and must be discontinued at the earliest possible time. .
  5. Be told the names and jobs of the health care team members involved in the patient’s care if staff safety is not a concern.
  6. Have respect shown for the patient’s cultural and personal values, beliefs, and preferences. The hospital accommodates patient’s rights to religious and other spiritual services
  7. Be treated without discrimination based on race, color, national origin ethnicity, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, language, or ability to pay.
  8. Right to access protective and advocacy services and be provided a list of protective and advocacy services when needed or requested
  9. Receive information about the patient’s hospital and physician charges and ask for an estimate of hospital charges before care is provided and as long as patient care is not impeded. Charges may vary based on individual case.
    1. Patients requesting to receive estimate of hospital charges may contact Union Hospital’s Admissions Division.
  10. Receive information in a manner he or she understands which may include alternate formats:
    1. Sign and foreign language interpreters;
    2. Large print, Braille, audio recordings, and computer files; or
    3. Vision, speech, hearing, and other temporary aids as needed, without charge.
  1. Receive information from the patient’s doctor or other health care practitioners about the patient’s diagnosis, prognosis, test results, possible outcomes of care, and unanticipated outcomes of care.
  2. Access the patient’s medical records in accordance with Health Insurance and Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Notice of Privacy Practices.
  3. Be involved in the patient’s plan of care.
  4. Be screened, assessed, and treated for pain.
  5. Refuse care or treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the possible consequences of the refusal.
  6. In accordance with hospital visitation policies, have an individual of the patient’s choice remain with the patient for emotional support during the patient’s hospital stay, choose the individuals who may visit the patient, and change the patient’s mind about the individuals who may visit.
  7. Appoint an individual of the patient’s choice (surrogate decision maker) to make health care decisions for the patient, if the patient is unable to do so.
  8. Create or change an advance directive or MOLST (Medical Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment; have these followed within the limits of the law and the organization’s capabilities.
  9. Give or refuse informed consent before any nonemergency care is provided, including the benefits and risks of the care, alternatives to the care, and the benefits and risks of the alternatives to the care.
  10. Agree or refuse to take part in medical research studies, without the agreement or refusal affecting the patient’s care.
  11. Allow or refuse to allow pictures of the patient for purposes other than the patient’s care.
  12. Right to an environment that preserves dignity and expect privacy and confidentiality in care discussion and treatments.
  13. Be provided a copy of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Notice of Privacy Practices.
  14. Right to have a family member or representative of his or her choice and his or her physician notified promptly of his or her admission to the hospital.
  15. File a complaint about care and have the complaint reviewed by the hospital without the complaint affecting the patient’s care. Patients are encouraged to voice concerns to their physician, nurse or caregiver. If further action is needed patient is urged to take any of the following steps:
    a. Talk with the department manager
    b. Contact Customer Service
    c. Contact the Maryland Department of Health, Office of Health Care Quality
    7120 Samuel Drive, 2nd Floor
    Columbia, MD 21046
    Phone: (877) 402-8218
    d. The Joint Commission, Office of Quality & Patient Safety at Office of Quality and Patient Safety (OQPS)
    One Renaissance Boulevard
    Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
    Website: www.jointcommission.org, using the Report a Patient Safety Event link in the Action Center on the home page

These rights will be extended to the patient’s legally designated representatives should the patient be unable to understand or exercise these rights. These rights are extended to parents and/or guardians of all newborns, children and teenagers.

Patient Responsibilities

The hospital asks and encourages patients to:

  1. Provide accurate and complete information concerning the patient’s present complaint, past medical history, and other matters pertaining to the patient’s health.
  2. Report any changes in the condition.
  3. Ask questions if directions and/or procedures are not understood.
  4. Actively participate in the management of pain, including asking questions regarding what to expect for pain and pain management, options available, asking for pain medication when pain first begins, and reporting when pain has not been relieved.
  5. Follow the treatment plan prescribed by the physician, including the instructions of nurses and other health care providers as the physician’s orders are carried out.
  6. Keep appointments and notifying the hospital and the physician when unable to do so.
  7. Be responsible for the patient’s own actions if the patient chooses to refuse treatment or to not follow the physician’s orders.
  8. Assure that patient financial obligations for the care provided are fulfilled as promptly as possible.
  9. Follow hospital policies and procedures.
  10. Be considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel.
  11. Be respectful of the patient’s own personal property and that of others in the hospital.