We consider you a partner in your hospital care. When you are well informed in treatment decisions, and communicate openly with your doctor and other health professionals, you help make your care as effective as possible. We at NorthShore Regional Medical Center encourage respect for personal preferences and values of each individual. While you are a patient in the hospital, your rights include the following:

You have the right to:

• Considerate and respectful care.
• Be well informed about your illness, possible treatments, and likely outcome, to discuss this information with your doctor, and to know the names and roles of people treating you.
• Consent to or refuse treatment, as permitted by law, throughout your hospital stay. If you refuse a recommended treatment, you will receive other needed and available care.
• Have an advanced directive, such as a living will or durable mandate for healthcare. These documents express your choices about your future care or name someone to decide for you if you can not speak for yourself. If you have a written directive you should provide a copy to the hospital, your family, and your doctor.
• Privacy, the hospital, your doctor and others caring for you will protect your privacy as much as possible.
• Expect that treatment records are confidential unless you have given permission to release information or reporting is required by law. When the hospital releases records to others, such as insurers, it emphasizes that the records are confidential.
• Review your medical records in the presence of a hospital-designated employee and to have the information explained, expect as restricted by law.
• Expect that the hospital will give you necessary health services to the best of its ability. Treatment, referral, or transfer may be recommended. If transfer is recommended or requested, you will be informed of risks, benefits, and alternatives. You will not be transferred until the other institution agrees to accept you.
• Know if this hospital has relationships with outside parties that may influence your treatment and care. These relationships may be with educational institutions, or other healthcare providers, or insurers.
• Consent or decline to take part in research affecting your care. If you choose not to take part, you will receive the most effective care the hospital otherwise provides.
• Be told of realistic care alternatives when hospital care is no longer appropriate.
• Know about hospital rules that affect you and your treatment and about charges and payment methods. To know about our hospital resources, such as patient representatives or ethics committees, that can help you resolve problems and questions about your hospital stay and care.

Patient Responsibilities

You have responsibilities as a patient. You are responsible for providing accurate information about your health, including past illnesses, hospital stays, and use of medication. You are responsible for asking questions when you do not understand information or instructions. If you believe you cannot follow through with your treatment, you are responsible for telling your doctor.

NorthShore Regional Medical Center works to provide care efficiently and fairly to all patients and the community. You and your visitors are responsible for being considerate of the needs of other patients, staff, and the hospital. You are responsible for providing information for insurance and for working with the hospital to arrange payment when needed.

Your health depends not just on your hospital care, but in the long term, on the decisions you make in your daily life. You are responsible for recognizing the effect of life-style on your personal health.

A hospital serves many purposes. Hospitals work to improve peoples’ health; treat people with injury and disease; educate doctors, health professionals, patients, and community members; and improve understanding of health and disease. In carrying out these activities, NorthShore Regional Medical Center works to respect your values and dignity.