As a patient of Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, or as a legal representative of a patient at our Center, we want you to know the rights that you have under federal and Florida state law.

Your Rights

Courtesy & Respect

• receive health care that is courteous and respects your individual dignity, such as cultural, psychosocial, personal values and beliefs, and includes the right to request pastoral and other spiritual services. FHMMC is committed to serving all patients, without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, culture, language, sex, age, marital or socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, political affiliation, or other non-medically relevant factors. 
• obtain a copy of any rules or regulations that relate to the conduct of patient, as provided below, including a complete copy of the Patient Rights and Responsibilities Policy.

Privacy, Confidentiality and Safety

• know that your records and communications are confidential to the extent provided by law. 
• expect privacy during medical treatment and care, within the capacity of FHMMC, as well as safety and security, and be free from abuse, neglect, harassment and exploitation, or abandonment. 
• Be free from both physical restraints and drugs used as a restraint, except when necessary and less restrictive interventions have been determined to be ineffective.

Communication and Visitors

• have an interpreter or other assistance, as needed and available, when there is a language, communication, or hearing barrier. 
• have information provided in a manner tailored to your age, language, and ability to understand. 
• Have a representative of your choice and your physician notified of your admission, and , have a family member, friend, or other individual (of your choice) to be present with you for emotional support, unless this infringes on others’ rights, safety, or is medically or therapeutically contraindicated. This may or may not be the surrogate, or legally authorized representative.

Participation

• have information about support services, including right to access protective service. 
• refuse to be examined, observed, or treated by students or other staff, without jeopardizing access to psychiatric, psychological, or other medical care. 
• refuse to serve as a research subject or receive any care or examination that is primarily for educational or informational purposes, rather than for treatment. 
• refuse consent to produce or use recordings, films, or other images of you for purposes other than you care. 
• participate in any consideration of ethical issues that arise in your care, such as resolving conflict, withholding resuscitation, forgoing or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, or taking part in research studies.

Pain Management

• receive assessment and treatment for physical and psychological pain.

Information and Treatment

• obtain an explanation of any relationship (including financial) that FHMMC, or your physician has with another health-care facility or educational institution, to the extent that the relationship relates to your care.  
• Receive upon request, prior to treatment, a reasonable estimate of charges for medical care, and information regarding financial assistance or free health care, including information about Medicare.  
• receive an itemized list of charges submitted by FHMMC to your insurer or another third party regarding your care, including the amounts covered by the third-party payer, and a copy of FHMMC’s itemized charges and upon request, have the charges explained.  
• receive, upon request, a reasonable estimate of charges for medical care, an itemized bill, obtain the name and specialty of the physician or other health-care providers caring for you.
• have all reasonable requests responded to promptly and adequately within the capacity of FHMMC.
• receive enough information to give an informed consent to treatment, to the extent provided by law, including an explanation of your condition and diagnosis, proposed treatments, and alternative therapies, with their respective benefits and risks.
• make decisions regarding your health care, including the decision to refuse or discontinue treatment, to the extent permitted by law.
• fill out advance care directives, such as a health care proxy form, to designate someone who can make decisions for you if you do become incapable of understanding a proposed treatment or procedure, or are unable to communicate your wishes regarding care.
• receive a complete copy of the Florida Patient Rights law available from Risk Management.
• inspect your medical record and receive a copy of it (fee)- in a timely manner, request an amendment, and obtain information on disclosures of your health information to the extent permitted by law.
• receive prompt, life-saving treatment in an emergency without discrimination or delay based on economic or payment concerns.
• receive a prompt and safe transfer to the care of others if FHMMC is unable to meet your request or need for treatment or service. For example, if we are unable to offer the type and quality of care, based on available resources, required by your specific condition or disease, we will make sure that you can receive care elsewhere.
• register complaints or grievances, and seek solutions to problems, through the Patient Grievance Specialist on the Grievance/Safety Line at 231-3186. You have the right to file a grievance with FHMMC if you have concerns regarding your care and treatment.
• register complaints with the Consumer Assistance Unit at Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Drive/Bldg. 1, Tallahassee, FL 32317-4000 (1-888-419-3456)

Your Responsibilities

We ask that you:

• provide, to the best of your ability, accurate and complete information about your present condition, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters related to your health, including any unexpected changes in your condition, and information about home and/or work that may impact your ability to follow the proposed treatment.
• follow the treatment plan developed with your provider. You should express any concerns about your ability to comprehend or comply with a proposed course of treatment. You are responsible for the outcomes if you refuse treatment or do not follow your care provider’s instructions.
• be considerate of other patients and staff and their property. Abusive, threatening, or inappropriate language or behavior will not be tolerated and may be grounds for discharge.
• keep appointments or call us when you are unable to do so.
• be honest about your financial needs, so that we may connect you to appropriate resources. assure that the financial obligations of your health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.