The patient at Salem Hospital

A modern hospital has many functions to perform, including the prevention and treatment of disease, and the education of both health professionals and patients.

Above all, the hospital is responsible to perform these functions with an overriding recognition of the rights of each patient and his or her dignity as a human being.

It is the belief of the Salem Hospital Board of Trustees that success in achieving this recognition will guarantee, better than any catalog of rights, that our patients will receive the quality care they both expect and deserve.

To assure recognition of each patient’s individuality and dignity, it is the policy of the Board that:

All members of the healthcare team seek to create and foster a relationship with each patient founded on mutual trust and respect. Each patient is assured impartial access to treatment and accommodations, based on medical needs, without regard for race, sex, creed, national origin or the source of payment for care.

Each patient will receive information in a way that is understandable to them, including the use of interpreters or other devices.

A safe environment free from abuse or harassment is provided for the treatment of patients.

The patient is free from restraints of any form that are not medically necessary or are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff.

Patients have access to the identity and professional status of individuals providing service to them.

Patients may voluntarily participate in clinical training programs and that their permission to participate may be withdrawn at any time.

The patient or the patient’s legally authorized representative will not be denied access to hospital information regarding diagnosis, treatment and any known prognosis and that the patient and family, or legally authorized representative, is involved in all aspects of their care.

The patient and others as requested by the patient are informed of the outcomes of care, treatment or services provided, including unanticipated outcomes.

The patient can have a family member or representative of his or her choice, and his or her own physician to be notified promptly of his or her admission to the hospital.

Patients have access to people outside the hospital by means of visitors and by oral or written communication. When the patient is deaf or does not speak or understand English, the hospital will make every reasonable effort to provide a competent interpreter.

Except in emergencies the patient is fully informed by the attending physician regarding treatment and continuing care requirements before consenting to any procedures or treatment.

Patients may, at their own request and expense, consult with specialists.

The patient may refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law.

A patient’s pain will be appropriately assessed and managed.

A patient may not be transferred to another facility or organization unless the patient or the patient’s legal representative has received a complete explanation of the need for the transfer and of the alternatives to such a transfer and unless the transfer is acceptable to the other facility or organization.

A patient’s request to examine and receive an explanation of the hospital bill will be honored. The hospital will communicate promptly any notice received of termination of the patient’s eligibility for payment by any third party carrier.

The patient should be informed of the hospital rules and regulations applicable to conduct of Salem Hospital patients and been entitled to information about the hospital’s mechanism for the initiation, review and resolution of patient complaints.

Each patient has the right to complain to either the Oregon Health Services Division or to the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, if they do not wish to notify Salem Hospital.

Each patient is assured protection from agencies or individuals who may propose to interview or observe the patient without agreement from the patient.

Religious beliefs of each patient shall be respected, and if spiritual assistance is requested, the hospital is to do all that it possibly can to meet such requests.

Assistance with Advance Directive documents is available from hospital staff.

Each patient has the right to have their physician discuss with them, or their Healthcare Representative their wishes as expressed in their Advanced Directive the medical conditions under which Advance Directive would apply, and the right to request of their physician his/ her willingness to abide by the Advance Directive, and, if necessary, to have hospital assistance in finding a physician who will.

Commensurate with the provision of their care, patients will be aided in maintaining the privacy of their bodies.

Confidentiality of the patient’s disclosures to hospital personnel regarding medical conditions will be maintained. Information contained in medical records will be released to requestors as stated in the Salem Hospital Notice of Privacy Practices.