Your Patient Rights
At Tenet Health Central Coast, you have the right to formulate an Advance Directive that indicates your treatment preferences, should you become incapacitated.Advance Directive
An Advance Directive is a legal document that tells your doctor and your family about the types of life support that you want to be provided or withheld in case you’re no longer able to make decisions for yourself. If you would like more information about an Advance Directive, please consult your physician, your nurse, the Admitting Department or one of our Clinical Social Workers.Health Care Surrogate
You have the right to name a person to make medical treatment decisions for you by appointing a Health Care Surrogate. This person is allowed to make health care decisions for you, but only after two doctors have agreed that you’re no longer able to make your own health care decisions.Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
Under State Law, when you’re unable to choose the medical treatment that you want because of your illness, a Durable Power of Attorney for Health care Form can help you identify someone qualified to make treatment decisions for you when your doctor says that you cannot. A Durable Power of Attorney for Health care allows you to designate someone to give or “withhold consent for treatment". The "Attorney in Fact's" right to give consent depends on what you say in writing and how it is signed. In order to take advantage of this state law, you may consult an attorney. Durable Power of Attorney for Health care forms, as well as the California Natural Death Act form is available in Admitting, or by contacting one of our Clinical Social Workers. If you already have an Advance Directive or a Health care Surrogate, please tell your doctor and this hospital. It is a policy of Tenet Health Central Coast to honor a patient's health care decision to the full extent required or allowed by law. You’re not required to give advanced health care direction in order to receive care here. It is a policy of the hospital to ask you questions regarding your Advance Directive and other health care decisions at the time of admission. If your admitting doctor has not addressed this information with you on your first day of hospital stay, please notify your nurse.Organ Donation
The State of California has enacted legislation to increase public awareness about the benefits of organ donations. Families or patients may want to consider the opportunity for organ donation and communicate that decision to their health care surrogate or the nursing staff. We are required by law to let our organ donation center know when a death has occurred and give contact information.These Patient Rights incorporate the requirements of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; Title 22, California Code of Regulations, Section 70707; Health and Safety Code sections 1262.6, 1288.4, and 124960; and 42 C.F.R. Section 482.13 (Medicare Conditions of Participation).
Patient Bill of Rights
You and/or your Representative have the right to:
- Considerate and respectful care, and to be made comfortable. You have the right to respect for your cultural, psychosocial, spiritual, and personal values, beliefs and preferences. The right to an environment that preserves dignity and contributes to a positive self-image.
- Have a family member (or other representative of your choosing) and your own physician notified promptly of your admission to the hospital.
- Know the name of the licensed health care practitioner acting within the scope of his or her professional licensure who has primary responsibility for coordinating your care and the names and professional relationships of physicians and non-physicians who will see you.
- You and/or your representative have the right to receive information about your health status, diagnosis, prognosis, course of treatment, prospects for recovery and outcomes of care (including unanticipated outcomes) in terms you can understand. You have the right to effective communication and to participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care. You have the right to be provided information in a manner that meets your needs if you have a vision, speech, hearing or cognitive impairment. You have the right to participate in ethical questions that arise in the course of your care, including issues of conflict resolution, withholding resuscitative services, and forgoing or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment.
- Make decisions regarding medical care, and receive as much information about any proposed treatment or procedure as you may need in order to give informed consent or to refuse a course of treatment. This right also extends to your healthcare representative if you are unable to make decisions. Except in emergencies, this information shall include a description of the procedure or treatment, the medically significant risks involved, alternate courses of treatment or non-treatment and the risks involved in each, and the name of the person who will carry out the procedure or treatment. You and/or your healthcare representative has the right to give or withhold informed consent to produce or use recordings, films, or other images of you for purposes other than your care.
- Request or refuse treatment, to the extent permitted by law. However, you do not have the right to demand inappropriate or medically unnecessary treatment or services. You have the right to leave the hospital even against the advice of members of the medical staff, to the extent permitted by law.
- Be advised if the hospital/licensed health care practitioner acting within the scope of his or her professional licensure proposes to engage in or perform human experimentation affecting your care or treatment. You have the right to refuse to participate in such research projects.
- Reasonable responses to any reasonable requests made for service.
- Appropriate assessment and management of your pain, information about pain, pain relief measures and to participate in pain management decisions. You may request or reject the use of any or all modalities to relieve pain, including opiate medication, if you suffer from severe chronic intractable pain. The doctor may refuse to prescribe the opiate medication, but if so, must inform you that there are physicians who specialize in the treatment of pain with methods that include the use of opiates.
- Formulate advance directives. This includes designating a decision maker if you become incapable of understanding a proposed treatment or become unable to communicate your wishes regarding care. Hospital staff and practitioners who provide care in the hospital shall comply with these directives. All patients’ rights apply to the person who has legal responsibility to make decisions regarding medical care on your behalf.
- Have personal privacy respected. Case discussion, consultation, examination and treatment are confidential and should be conducted discreetly. You have the right to be told the reason for the presence of any individual. You have the right to have visitors leave prior to an examination and when treatment issues are being discussed. Privacy curtains will be used in semi-private rooms.
- Confidential treatment of all communications and records pertaining to your care and stay in the hospital. You will receive a separate “Notice of Privacy Practices” that explains your privacy rights in detail and how we may use and disclose your protected health information.
- Receive care in a safe setting, free from mental, physical, sexual or verbal abuse and neglect, exploitation or harassment. You have the right to access protective and advocacy services including notifying government agencies of neglect or abuse.
- Be free from restraints and seclusion of any form used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff.
- Reasonable continuity of care and to know in advance the time and location of appointments as well as the identity of the persons providing the care.
- Be informed by the physician, or a delegate of the physician, of continuing health care requirements and options following discharge from the hospital. You have the right to be involved in the development and implementation of your discharge plan. Upon your request, a friend or family member may be provided this information also.
- Know which hospital rules and policies apply to your conduct while a patient. Be informed of your responsibilities related to your care, treatment, and services.
- Be informed of your right and/or your representative’s right, regarding visitation, including any clinically necessary or reasonable restrictions and/or limitations. You and/or your representative has the right to consent to receive visitors whom you designate including, but not limited to, a spouse, a domestic partner (including a same-sex domestic partner), another family member, or a friend, and your right to withdraw or deny such consent at any time. To know the health facility is not permitted to restrict, limit, or otherwise deny visitation privileges on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or disability. To be ensured that all visitors enjoy full and equal visitation privileges consistent with patient preferences.
- You have the right to access protective and advocacy services.
- Examine and receive an explanation of the hospital’s bill regardless of the source of payment.
- Exercise each of these rights without regard to age sex, socioeconomic status, educational background, race, color, religion, ethnicity, cultural language, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, registered domestic partner status, or the source of payment for care.
- File a grievance. If you want to file a grievance with this hospital, you may do so by writing or by calling: Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, 1010 Murray Ave. San Luis Obispo, CA 93405, (805) 546-7600 or Twin Cities Community Hospital, 1100 Las Tablas Templeton, California 93465, Attn: Administration 805-434-4545. The grievance committee will review each grievance and provide you with a written response within 7 days. The written response will contain the name of a person to contact at the hospital, the steps taken to investigate the grievance, the results of the grievance process, and the date of completion of the grievance process. Concerns regarding quality of care or premature discharge will also be referred to the appropriate Utilization and Quality Control Peer Review Organization (PRO).
- File a complaint with the California Department of Public Health regardless of whether you use the hospital’s grievance process. The California Department of Public Health’s phone number and address is: California Department of Public Health, P.O. Box 942732 Sacramento, CA 934234-7320, (916) 445-4171.
- File a complaint with The Joint Commission: The Joint Commission’s phone number and address is: The Joint Commission, One Renaissance Blvd., Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181; (800) 994-6610 or send an email to [email protected]
- File a complaint as a Medicare beneficiary, to the Center for Medicare Services -Quality Improvement Organization (CMS-QIO), Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG); California Medicare Beneficiary Complaints Helpline by calling (866) 800-8749.
Patient’s Responsibilities:
- Provide accurate and complete information to your healthcare providers about your present and past medical conditions and all other matters pertaining to your health.
- Reporting unexpected changes in your condition to your healthcare providers.
- Informing your healthcare providers whether or not you understand the plan of care and what is expected of you.
- Follow the treatment plan recommended by your healthcare providers.
- Keep appointments and, if you cannot, notify the proper person.
- Know the consequences of you own actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow the healthcare providers’ instructions.
- Be considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel.
- Know which hospital rules and policies apply to your conduct while a patient.
- Fulfill your financial obligations to the hospital as promptly as possible.
DERECHOS Y RESPONSABILIDADES DEL PACIENTE
Usted o su representante tienen derecho a:
- Recibir una atención considerada y respetuosa, y a sentirse cómodo. También tiene derecho a ser respetado por sus valores, creencias y preferencias culturales, psicosociales, espirituales y personales. Tener un ambiente que conserve la dignidad y contribuya a una autoimagen positiva.
- Que le avisen de inmediato a un familiar (u otro representante de su elección) y a su propio médico que ha sido admitido en el hospital.
- Saber el nombre del profesional de atención médica certificado que actúa en el marco de su certificación profesional y que tiene la responsabilidad principal de coordinar su atención, y los nombres y las relaciones profesionales de los médicos y empleados no médicos que lo verán.
- Tener, usted o su representante, derecho a recibir información sobre el estado de su salud, diagnóstico, pronóstico, curso de tratamiento, posibilidades de recuperación y resultados de la atención (incluso resultados no previstos) en términos que pueda comprender. Tiene derecho también a tener una comunicación efectiva y participar en el desarrollo e implementación de su plan de atención. Tener derecho a recibir información de una manera que cumpla con sus necesidades, si tiene una discapacidad de la vista, del habla, auditiva o cognitiva. También puede participar en cuestiones éticas que surjan durante su atención, incluidos temas sobre resolución de conflictos, negación a recibir servicios de resucitación, y continuación o retiro del tratamiento para mantener la vida.
- Tomar decisiones sobre su atención y recibir toda la información sobre cualquier tratamiento o procedimiento propuesto que pueda necesitar para dar su consentimiento informado o negarse al tratamiento. Este derecho también se extiende a su representante de atención médica, si usted no puede tomar decisiones.Excepto en casos de emergencia, esta información incluirá una descripción del procedimiento o tratamiento, los riesgos médicamente significativos que implican, los tratamientos alternativos o no tratamientos, y los riesgos que cada uno incluye, y el nombre de la persona que realizará el procedimiento o tratamiento. Tener, usted o su representante de atención médica, el derecho de otorgar o aplazar un consentimiento informado para reproducir o usar las grabaciones, películas u otras imágenes suyas para otros propósitos que no sean su atención.
- Solicitar o negarse a recibir tratamiento, en la medida que lo permita la ley. Sin embargo, usted no tiene derecho a exigir tratamientos o servicios inadecuados o que no sean médicamente necesarios. Tiene derecho a abandonar el hospital incluso en contra de la recomendación de los miembros del personal médico, en la medida que lo permita la ley.
- 7. Ser notificado si el hospital o el profesional de atención médica certificado que actúa en el marco de su certificación profesional propone participar o realizar experimentos que afecten su atención o tratamiento. Negarse a participar en tales proyectos de investigación.
- Recibir respuestas razonables a toda solicitud razonable que realice sobre los servicios.
- Recibir una evaluación y un control adecuados de su dolor, información sobre el dolor y medidas para el alivio del dolor, y a participar en decisiones acerca del control del dolor. También puede solicitar o rechazar el uso de cualquiera o de todas las modalidades para aliviar el dolor, incluidos los medicamentos opiáceos si sufre de dolor crónico grave persistente. El médico puede negarse a recetar medicamentos opiáceos, pero si es así, debe informarle a usted que existen médicos que se especializan en el tratamiento del dolor con métodos que incluyen el uso de opiáceos.
- Formular instrucciones anticipadas. Esto incluye designar a una persona que tome las decisiones si usted no puede comprender un tratamiento propuesto o si no puede comunicar sus deseos con respecto a la atención. El personal y los profesionales del hospital que proporcionan atención en el hospital cumplirán dichas instrucciones. Todos los derechos del paciente se aplican a la persona que tiene la responsabilidad legal de tomar las decisiones relacionadas con la atención médica en su nombre.
- Que su privacidad sea respetada. La discusión del caso, las consultas, los exámenes y el tratamiento son confidenciales y se deben realizar con discreción. Tiene derecho a que le indiquen la razón de la presencia de cualquier persona. También tiene derecho a que las visitas se retiren antes de un examen y cuando se habla de temas relacionados con el tratamiento. Se usarán cortinas para privacidad en habitaciones semiprivadas.
- Recibir tratamiento confidencial de todas las comunicaciones y registros relacionados con su atención y permanencia en el hospital. Usted recibirá un “Aviso sobre prácticas de privacidad” (Notice of Privacy Practices) por separado que explica en detalle sus derechos a la privacidad y cómo podemos utilizar y divulgar la información protegida sobre su salud.
- Recibir atención en un entorno seguro, donde no haya abuso mental, físico, sexual ni verbal, ni tampoco abandono, explotación o acoso. Usted tiene derecho a acceder a servicios de protección y defensa, lo que incluye notificarles a las agencias del gobierno sobre abandono o abuso.
- No tener restricciones ni estar aislado de ninguna forma por decisión del personal como medio de coerción, disciplina, conveniencia o represalia.
- Recibir una atención razonablemente continua y saber por adelantado la hora y el lugar de las citas, así como también la identidad de las personas que proporcionan la atención médica.
- Ser informado por el médico, o un representante del médico, de los requisitos y opciones de atención médica continua luego de haber sido dado de alta del hospital. También tiene derecho a participar en el desarrollo e implementación de su plan de alta. Si lo solicita, un amigo o un familiar también pueden recibir esta información.
- Conocer las reglas y políticas del hospital que se aplican a su conducta mientras sea paciente. Estar informado sobre sus responsabilidades relacionadas con su atención, tratamiento y servicios.
- Estar informado sobre su derecho y el derecho de su representante con relación a las visitas, incluso cualquier restricción o limitación clínicamente necesaria o razonable. Tener, usted y su representante, derecho a autorizar recibir las visitas que usted nombre incluso, pero sin limitarse al cónyuge, pareja doméstica (incluso una pareja doméstica del mismo sexo), otro familiar o un amigo; además, tiene derecho a retirar o negar dicho consentimiento en cualquier momento. Saber que el centro de salud no tiene permitido restringir, limitar o de otra manera negar los privilegios de visita con base en la raza, color, nacionalidad, religión, sexo, expresión o identidad de género, orientación sexual o discapacidad. Tener la seguridad de que todas las visitas disfrutan de privilegios completos y equitativos de visita consistentes con las preferencias del paciente.
- Tener derecho a acceder a los servicios de protección y defensoría.
- Evaluar y recibir una explicación de la cuenta del hospital, independientemente de la fuente de pago.
- Ejercer cada uno de estos derechos sin importar la edad, sexo, estado socioeconómico, antecedentes educativos, raza, color, religión, etnia, lenguaje cultural, ascendencia, nacionalidad, orientación sexual, expresión o identidad de género, discapacidad física o mental, condición médica, estado civil, estado de la pareja doméstica registrada o la fuente del pago para su atención.
- Presentar una queja. Si desea presentar una queja con este hospital, puede hacerlo por escrito o llamando por teléfono Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, 1010 Murray Ave. San Luis Obispo, CA 93405, (805) 546-7600 or Twin Cities Community Hospital, 1100 Las Tablas Templeton, California 93465, Attn: Administration 805-434-4545. El comité de quejas analizará cada queja y le dará una respuesta por escrito dentro de días. La respuesta por escrito incluirá el nombre de la persona con la que debe comunicarse en el hospital, las medidas tomadas para investigar la queja, los resultados del proceso conciliatorio, y la fecha de finalización del proceso conciliatorio. Las inquietudes relacionadas con la calidad de la atención o una dada de alta prematura también pueden ser remitidas a la Organización de Revisión Profesional de la Utilización y Calidad de los Servicios (Utilization and Quality Control Peer Review Organization [PRO]) correspondiente.
- Presentar una queja en el Departamento de Salud Pública de California (California Department of Public Health), independientemente de que utilice el proceso de quejas del hospital. El número de teléfono y la dirección del Departamento de Salud Pública de California son: California Department of Public Health, P.O. Box 942732 Sacramento, CA 934234-7320, (916) 445-4171.
- También tiene el derecho de presentar una denuncia ante The Joint Commission: El número y la dirección de teléfono de The Joint Commission es: The Joint Commission, One Renaissance Blvd., Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181; (800) 994-6610 or send an email to [email protected].
- Como beneficiario de Medicare también tiene el derecho de presentar una denuncia con el Centro de Medicare - Quality Improvement Organization (CMS-QIO), Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG); California Medicare Beneficiary Complaints Helpline by calling (866) 800-8749.
Contact Us
Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center
1010 Murray Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 546-7600
Twin Cities Community Hospital
1100 Las Tablas Templeton, California 93465
(805) 434-4545
The grievance committee will review each grievance and provide you with a written response within 7 days. The written response will contain the name of a person to contact at the Hospital, the steps taken to investigate the grievance, the results of the grievance process, and the date of completion of the grievance process. Concerns regarding quality of care or premature discharge will also be referred to the appropriate Utilization and Quality Control Peer Review Organization (PRO).
File a complaint with the California Department of Health Services regardless of whether you use the Hospital’s grievance process.
California Department of Health Services
PO Box 942732
Sacramento, California 94234-7320
(916) 445-4171
File a complaint with The Joint Commission regardless of whether you use the Hospital’s grievance process.
The Joint Commission
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
(800) 994-6610