Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Broadlawns Medical Center is committed to the respect and protection of the rights of our patients.  Honoring these rights is an important part of caring for you as a whole person.

As an adult patient of Broadlawns Medical Center you have the following rights concerning:

Your Caregiver:

To know the name and identity of all persons providing service to you.

To ask for assistance in obtaining consultation with another physician regarding care.  The consultation may result in additional costs to you.

Your Care:

To request or refuse treatment.

To have a family member or representative of your choice and your physician notified promptly upon your admission to the hospital.

To receive complete and current information that you can understand including explanation of any proposed procedure, drug or treatment. You and, when appropriate, your families to be informed about the outcomes of care, including unanticipated outcomes.

To be transferred to another facility at your request (and its acceptance) if medically and legally permissible.  You also have the right to an explanation concerning the need of such a transfer and any alternatives.

To know if your care involves research or experimental methods of treatment.

To consent or refuse to participate.

To be involved in the discharge planning process.

To appropriate management of pain, treatment of uncontrollable symptoms and support of your psychological and spiritual needs even if you are dying or have a terminal illness.

To request a review by the Medical Center Biomedical Ethics Committee regarding ethical issues involved in your care.

To ask and receive special arrangements for needs due to physical disability or communication barriers.

To be able to contact legal representation or counsel.

To seek discharge from the Medical Center.   Early discharge from the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit must be requested in writing.  If voluntarily admitted, you will be discharged within 24 hours of the written request, excluding weekends or holidays, unless Broadlawns Medical Center seeks a court order keeping you, based on the treatment team’s assessment.  Should that occur, you will receive notice from the court of the hearing date and you may attend.

Confidentiality:

To expect to have information related to your care kept confidential and that information about your care not be released without a signed Release of Information unless permitted or required by law.

To personal privacy.  Our staff will not use tape recorders, one-way mirrors, photographs or videotape during care without your approval.

To refuse to receive visitors, mail or phone calls according to policies of Broadlawns Medical Center, orders of health care provider or court order.

Safety:

To receive care in a safe setting free from abuse or harassment.

To be free from restraints or seclusion of any form that is not medically necessary for your safety or others, or that are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff.

Charges:

To know the charges for your care and methods available for payment.

To examine your bill and receive an explanation of charges.

To know if Broadlawns Medical Center has contracts with outside parties that might affect the plan and charged care.

Non-Discrimination Policies:

Employment
It is the policy of Broadlawns Medical Center, an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, that all persons employed will be treated without regard to race, color, creed, religion, qualified disability, sex, age or national origin, except where these categories are a bona fide occupation qualification.  The Human Resources Department of Broadlawns Medical Center is the designated coordinator of our programs and procedures for the implementation of this policy.

Patient Admissions
No program or activity administered by Broadlawns Medical center or any subsidiary that receives federal assistance shall exclude from participation, deny benefits to or subject to discrimination in patient admissions, room assignments and patient services any person for reason of race, color national origin, religion, sex, age or physical or mental handicap.  These policies are designed to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  The chief executive officer is the designated coordinator of all programs and procedures for implementing these policies.

Patient Advocate:

And finally, you have the right to have access to the Patient Advocate to voice concerns and to expect a prompt response and attempt at resolution.  If there are any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the Broadlawns Medical Center Patient Advocate at 515.282.2323.

Advance Directives:

Advance Directives state your choice for health care treatment if you are injured or become very ill and cannot communicate or make decisions. Advance directives can also name someone to make health care choices for you.  When you are at Broadlawns Medical Center, you will be asked if you have an advanced directive.  If you do, please bring it with you so it can be included in your medical record.  If you do not have one, please ask us, and we will assist you by answering your questions about advance directives and/or helping you complete one.

You have additional resources to report a concern about a health care organization.

Joint Commission on Accrediation of Healthcare Organization:  800.994.6610

Polk County Mental Health Advocate: 515.250.6150

Iowa Protection and  Advocacy Services: 515.278.2502

Iowa Foundation for Medical Care: 515.223.2900