Patient Rights

Patient Rights & Responsibilities

As a patient, you have the right to:

• Access care and treatment, regardless of race, creed, sex, religion, or national origin, or sources of payment. 
  
  
• Considerate, respectful care with recognition or your personal dignity, privacy, and confidentiality. 
  
  
• Care consistent with sound nursing and medical practices within Edward's capacity, its stated mission, and applicable laws and regulations. 
  
  
• Knowledge of the identity and professional status of healthcare professionals providing service to you. 
  
  
• Reasonably informed participation in your healthcare, including clear and concise explanations of your diagnosis, prognosis, alternative procedures and forms of treatment, anticipated results, and associated risks and benefits. 
  
  
• Accept or refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of any refusal. 
  
  
• Reasonable personal safety while receiving care. 
  
  
• Receive information about your care in a language you can understand. 
  
  
• Voice your complaints or any conflicts concerning your care and have them reviewed by appropriate staff in an effort to seek resolution. Concerns/complaints should be shared with the nursing staff, charge nurse, department manager, Patient Advocate, or by contacting the Patient Hotline at 630-527-7225. You also may contact the Illinois Department of Public Health, Office of Health Care Regulation, 525 W. Jefferson Street, 5th Floor, Springfield, IL 62761 or (800) 252-4343. TTY: (800) 547-0466. Or you may contact the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations Office of Quality Monitoring at One Renaissance Blvd., Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 or (630) 792-5000 or complaint@jcaho.org. For Home Care concerns you can contact the Home Health Hotline at (800) 252-4343. 
  
  
• Be informed of any continuing healthcare recommendations following discharge. 
  
  
• Request and receive an itemized copy of your charges. 
  
  
• Receive information and participate in decisions related to effective management of pain. 
  
  
• Formulate advance directives (Living Will or Durable Medical Power of Attorney) for the purpose of guiding decisions concerning your healthcare. Written information concerning policies that implement these rights is contained in the pamphlet, "A Guide to the Living Will & Durable Power of Attorney," provided to you at admission or upon request. The provision of care will not be conditioned on the existence of an advance directive. 
  
  
• Receive a paper copy of Edward's Notice of Privacy Practices, which further describes the following rights regarding a patient's Protected Health Information under HIPAA:
  • To request restrictions or limitations on uses or disclosures of his/her protected health information for treatment, payment or health care operations. 
  • To request that the communications with him/her about medical matters go through specific channels, that is, in a certain way or at a certain location.
  • To request to inspect and copy a designated set of his/her records.
  • To request an amendment to his/her records that are incorrect or incomplete.
  • To request an accounting of certain disclosures of his/her protected health information.
  • To file a complaint with Edward and/or with the federal Department of Health and Human Services if he/she believes his/her privacy rights have been violated.  

As a patient, you have the responsibility to: 

• Provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information relating to your medical condition. 

• Make it known whether you have questions or concerns regarding your treatment plan and/or what is expected of you to accomplish that plan. 

• Follow the treatment plan recommended by those primarily responsible for your care. 

• Accept personal responsibility if you refuse treatment or do not follow your treatment plan. 

• Abide by applicable facility rules, regulations, and policies during your visit. 

• Assume financial obligations for services received. 

• Respect the rights of patients, staff, and others you may contact. 

• Notify your doctor or nurse of new or uncontrolled pain, and work with the staff to achieve effective pain management. 

• Notify your physician and/or a member of the healthcare team if you have executed a Living Will or Durable Medical Power of Attorney, and assure that any such document is provided.

Patient Advocate
The Edward Patient Advocate is here to resolve patient care concerns or questions before discharge. You are invited to contact the Patient Advocate directly at (630) 527-7225 with any compliments, complaints, or concerns. You may call at any time during or after your stay.