St Helena Parish Hospital
Patient Rights and Responsibilities

It is important that you understand your rights and responsibilities as a patient at St Helena Parish Hospital (SHPH).

Notice of Rights- You have the right to:

• 1. Be informed of your rights, in advance of receiving or discontinuing care if possible.
• 2. Receive treatment and medical services without discrimination based on race, age, religion, national origin, sex, sexual preferences, handicap, diagnosis, ability to pay or source of payment.
• 3. Receive, as soon as possible, the services of a translator or interpreter to facilitate communication.

Exercise of Rights - You have the right to:

• 4. Participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care.
• 5. Make informed decisions regarding your care.  Including being informed of your health status, involved in care planning and treatment, and requesting or refusing treatment. This right must not be construed as a mechanism to demand the provision of treatment or services deemed medically unnecessary or inappropriate.
• 6. Formulate advance directives and to have staff and practitioners who provide care comply with these directives.
• 7. Have a family member/representative and your personal physician notified promptly of your admission to the hospital if desired.

Privacy and safety - You have the right to:

• 8. Expect verbal and visual privacy during interviews, exams, and treatment in a secure environment.
• 9. Be treated with dignity and respect.
• 10. Be free from all forms of abuse, harassment, neglect, corporal punishment, involuntary seclusion, and exploitation.

Confidentiality of patient record - You have the right to:

• 11. The confidentiality of your clinical records.
• 12. Access information contained in his or her clinical records within a reasonable time frame.

Restraint or Seclusion - You have the right to:

• 13. Be free from restraint or seclusion, of any form, imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff.

Patient Visitation: - You have the right to:

• 14. Have visitors within the limits of any clinical restriction or limitations in place.
• 15. Receive the visitors, including, but not limited to, a spouse, a domestic partner, family member, or a friend.
• 16. Not have restrictions, limits, or otherwise be denied visitation privileges based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.
• 17. Refuse visitors or withdraw consent to allow visitors at any time.

General - You have the right to:

• 18. Be informed of the names and function of all physicians and other health care professionals who are providing direct care.  These people shall identify themselves by introduction or by wearing a name tag.
• 19. Be included in experimental research only when you or your representative (in accordance with appropriate laws and regulations) give informed, written consent to such participation.  You may refuse to participate in experimental research, including the investigations of new drugs and medical devices.
• 20. Be informed if SHPH has authorized other health care or educational institutions to participate in your treatment.  You shall also have the right to know the identity and function of these institutions and may refuse to allow their participation in your treatment.
• 21. Be informed by the attending physician and other providers of health care services about any continuing health care requirements after your discharge from the hospital.  You also have the right to receive assistance in arranging any required follow-up care after discharge if needed.
• 22. Examine and receive an explanation of the hospital bill regardless of source of payment, and may receive upon request, information relating to the financial assistance available through the hospital.
• 23. Except in emergencies, you may be transferred to another facility only with a full explanation of the reason for transfer, provisions for continuing care and acceptance by the receiving facility.

Patient Responsibilities – You are responsible for:

• 1. Providing information on your present/past illnesses, medication, hospitalizations, or other related health information.
• 2. Reporting unexpected changes in your condition.
• 3. Providing a copy of your written advance directive if you have one.
• 4. Following the treatment plan developed with your practitioner and to recognize the impact your lifestyle has on health.
• 5. Telling doctors and caregivers if you expect problems in complying with your medical treatment plan.
• 6. Asking questions when you do not understand treatment instructions or plan of care.
• 7. Understanding the outcomes if you refuse treatment or fail to follow your practitioner’s treatment plan and instructions.
• 8. Giving correct and complete information for insurance claims and making payment arrangements.
• 9. Being considerate of the rights of other patients and personnel and for assisting in the control of noise and number of visitors.  This includes being respectful of the property of other patients, staff, and the hospital.
• 10. Following hospital rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.
• 11. Contacting a staff member immediately if any of your medical equipment alarms.
• 12. You are responsible for loss or damage to valuables kept in your room.  It is strongly advised that you give extra money, medications, credit cards, wallets, jewelry, etc. to a family member to take home or you may request the nurse to inventory your items and lock them in a safe.

To File a Complaint/Grievance:
If you encounter a problem during your stay at SHPH, please bring it to the attention of a hospital staff member at that your issue can be addressed promptly and to your satisfaction.  If you are not satisfied with the response, then please file a complaint.

If you would like to file a complaint, SHPH encourages you to contact the Patient Advocate.  You can contact the Patient Advocate by calling 225-222-6111 ext. 292 or ext. 239.  
You may also mail a letter addressed to:
Director of Nursing, St Helena Parish Hospital, 16874 Hwy 43 N, Greensburg, LA 70441.

You can contact the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Health Standards Complaint Program Desk at 1-866-280-7737 or P.O. Box 3767, Baton Rouge, LA 70821

You may download the Patients Rights document by clicking HERE.