Patient Bill of Rights

The patient has the right to: 

• To be informed of their rights prior to their procedure and at the time of admission and to know center rules and regulations applying to their conduct as a patient.   
• Privacy, confidentiality, respect, and dignity provided by competent personnel. 
• To personal privacy, receive safe care in a personal setting and free from all forms of abuse or harassment.  Cultural, psychosocial, spiritual, and personal values, beliefs and preferences will be respected. 
• Upon request, to receive adequate information, including credentialing, about the person(s) responsible for the delivery of their care, treatment, and services, i.e., licensed independent practitioners responsible for their care and safety.   
• To be provided with appropriate information regarding the absence of malpractice insurance coverage. 
• To change providers if other qualified providers are available.   
• To a list of physicians who have financial interest or ownership in the Center.  
• Patients or, as appropriate, the patients representative have the right to be informed of services provided and a discussion of advantages/disadvantages and alternatives to having the procedure performed at the center. Patients are given the opportunity to participate in decisions involving their health care, except when such participation is contraindicated for medical reasons.   
• To be fully informed about a treatment, procedure, or service provided and the expected outcome before it is performed.  To be provided, to the degree known, complete information concerning their diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and prognosis, including information about alternative treatments and possible complications.  When it is medically inadvisable to give such information to a patient, the information is provided to a person designated by the patient or to a legally authorized person.   
• To expect the center to provide them, or designee, the information above contained in their medical record unless the attending practitioner for medical reasons specifically restricts access.    
• To consideration of privacy concerning their medical care, i.e., case discussion, consultation, examination, treatment, and actual medical records.  All medical records are handled in a discreet, confidential manner. We honor HIPAA privacy and security regulations.  Medical records will be released only when authorized by the patient, the patients legal representative, or as directed by law or court order.     
• To refuse informed consent.  No further medical treatment will continue if the patient refuses informed consent.   
• To participate in a research program organized outside of the center but conducting procedural tests at the center.  The patient must give informed consent prior to procedure, and it is the patients right to refuse consent or participation in the program/procedure at any time prior to the start of procedure.   
• To expect emergency procedures without unnecessary delay and to be transferred to an acute care facility if there are complications or an emergency occurs.   

• 15. To be informed about after-hour emergency care and emergency care.  These instructions will be included in the patients discharge instructions post procedure.  

• To medical and nursing care without discrimination based upon age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, and disability.

• 17. To education to address his/her needs.  The education process should consider the patients values, abilities, readiness to learn and patient and family responsibilities in the care process. 

• To assistance with special needs.   
  
• To inquire about the cost of procedure, to receive detailed explanation about their bill, and information about payment options.  
  
• Per Oklahoma State law on Advance Directives and policy of NEC, you have the right to appoint a health care proxy, such as spouse or adult child, to make whatever medical treatment decisions you could make if you were able. An Advance Directive can be downloaded at the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Advance Directive, website, or a generic one can be provided at check in, if requested. DNRs are not honored at the Center.  
  
• To be informed that they may incur a fee for cancellations that occur within 24 hours of the scheduled procedure or for not showing up for scheduled procedures.   
  
• To be informed about company policy regarding advance directives, state law regarding them and the opportunity for a generic advance directive to be filled out prior to their procedure.     
  
• To provide feedback regarding care provided to them.  Patients will have the opportunity to complete a patient evaluation card and write comments.   
  
• Patients with service animals have the right to have them with them in the waiting room and the pre-op phase.  Service animals will not be allowed in the procedure room or in the recovery room.   
  
• Multilingual patient information.  Interpretation services are available, if needed.   
  
• To voice grievances regarding treatment or care that is, or fails to be, furnished.  The patient has the right to file a complaint about the center or any of the centers employees.  The patient may request a complaint form from the receptionist or ask to speak with the Business Manager at any time.  Any complaints not addressed can be directed to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Medical Facilities Division at 405-271-6576 or 1-800-234-7258, or to AAAHC, our credentialing agency, at 847-853-6060.  Complaints can also be directed to the Office of Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman.  Their website is www.medicare.gov/ombudsman/resources.asp.