Patient Rights

Your Right as a Patient
Washington County Hospital promotes each patient’s right to considerate care that protects personal dignity and respects cultural and spiritual values. This brochure is designed to help you understand your rights as a patient. You have the right to:

Access to Care
You will receive medical treatment services regardless of your race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, disability, language, or source of payment.

Respect, Dignity and Comfort
Care will be courteous, considerate and respectful at all times and under all circumstances. Support is available from your minister or priest.

Privacy
Your privacy will be protected during personal hygiene activities, when receiving medical or nursing treatments, when discussing clinical issues with your doctor or staff, and whenever requested.

Confidentiality
Your clinical records and patient information will be kept confidential and shared only when necessary to provide care and services, or by your authorization, or when required or permitted by law.

Notification of Family & Physician
You have the right to have a family member or representative of your choice and your own physician notified promptly of your admission to the hospital.

Clear Information
You will be kept informed of your health status, prognosis, and any proposed treatments or procedures. You will be given the name of the physician with primary responsibility for your care, and the identity and professional qualification of those performing treatments. If you are unable to receive this information, it will be given to the person legally acting on your behalf. Supervised health care providers in training may be involved in your care and treatment.

Language Assistance Services
If you are deaf/hard-of-hearing, blind, or have limited English proficiency, free language assistance services and /or assistive devices will be made available to you when necessary. Please identify yourself as a person needing such assistance.

Access to Medical Records
You may see and obtain a copy of your medical record within a reasonable time after your request is made, except when restricted by law.

Participation in Planning Care
You will be an active participant in your plan of care, including requesting or refusing treatment. There is no right to demand treatment or services your doctor considers medically unnecessary or inappropriate. Though we promote family involvement in your care, you have the right to exclude any or all family members from participating in decisions about your care.

Effective Pain Management
Our staff is committed to pain prevention. We will respond quickly to your reports of pain.

Advance Directives
You have the right to make advance directives regarding your wishes for end-of-life care or appointing a representative to make health care decisions for you, but you are not required to do so to receive services. If you do have or make any advance directives, the staff and others who provide are in this hospital will comply with your directives.

Consultations with Specialists
We will help you consult with specialists if requested.

Communication
You may generally have access to visitors, mail, telephone calls, or other forms of communication, if any restrictions are necessary as a part of you care, we will explain them to you and your family and determine them with your participation, unless otherwise required by law.

Transfer
Should it be necessary for your care and medically advisable, we may transfer you to another health care facility. You may also request such a transfer.

Security
You have the right to receive care in a safe setting and to be free from all forms of abuse or harassment. You have the right to be free from seclusion and restraints of any form that are not medically necessary.

Resolution Conflict
Our policies and procedures, our day-to-day activities, and the way we provide services, are all designed to reflect our concern and respect for the rights of our patients. If you are experiencing a problem or feel your rights have been denied, please speak with your doctor or the nurse supervisor. If you need further assistance, please call Administration at (618) 327-2200.

The Grievance Process
If your patient issue cannot be resolved promptly, you have the right to submit a formal grievance in person, by phone or in writing to Administration. We will review your grievance as quickly as possible and you will receive a written notice of the decision within 10 days, together with a description of the steps taken to investigate your grievance, the date the investigation was completed, and the name and phone number of the health system contact person.

You may also address your concerns to the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) at One Renaissance Boulevard, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181, or through their toll – free number: (800) 994-6610. The voicing of a complaint or grievance will in no way depreciate the quality of care provided to you.

Rules and Regulations
As a patient of Washington County Hospital you agree to provide us complete and accurate information about your medical condition and to keep us informed of any changes. You are expected to let us know if you do not understand the medical information or instructions given to you. You must comply with our smoking, fire, noise control, and other policies regarding patient activities and safety. We expect you to keep all appointments and call in advance when you need to cancel or change an appointment. You are responsible for arranging payment for services provided:

Washington County Hospital
705 South Grand Avenue
Nashville, Illinois 62263
Main Number: (618) 327-8236
Fax Number: (618) 327-2209