Patient Rights

About

Our goal at Hunt Regional Healthcare is to give you and your family the same care and attention we would want for our families and ourselves.

The information below explains how you can expect to be treated during your hospital stay. It also covers what we need you to do to help us care for you.

If you do not understand any of the information, please ask your doctor or nurse to clarify it for you.

During You Stay You Can Expect:

  • You have a right to know the identity of nurses, doctors, and others involved in your care.
  • You have a right to know if any of your caregivers are students, residents, or other trainees.
  • Tell your caregivers if you have concerns about your care.
  • Tell your caregivers if you are in pain.
  • You have a right to be safe during your hospital stay.
  • We use special procedures to avoid mistakes in your care.
  • We use special procedures to keep you free from abuse or neglect.
  • If anything unexpected happens during your stay, you will be told what happened.
  • Any resulting changes in your care will be discussed with you.

Discuss your medical condition with your physician to make choices about appropriate treatment.

To make informed decisions with your doctor you need to understand:

  • The benefits and risks of each treatment
  • If your treatment is experimental or part of a research study
  • What is a reasonable expected outcome from your treatment
  • Any long-term effects a treatment may have on your quality of life
  • What you and your family will need to do after you leave the hospital
  • The financial consequences of using services not covered by your insurance or provided by out-of-network providers

Discuss your treatment plan

  • When you enter the hospital, you will sign a general consent agreement
  • You may be asked to confirm in writing that you understand what is planned and that you agree to the treatment.
  • You have a right to refuse treatment. Your doctor will explain the consequences of refusing recommended treatment.
  • You have a right to decide if you want to participate in a research study.

Provide information.

Your caregivers will need to know about:

  • Past illnesses, surgeries, or hospital stays
  • Past allergic reactions
  • Any medicines or dietary supplements (such as vitamins and herbs) you are taking
  • Any network or admission requirements under your health plan

Tell us about your health care goals and values

  • Make sure your doctor, your family, and your healthcare team know your wishes about the goals of your treatment.
  • Make sure they know about personal values that impact your treatment.
  • Make sure they know about any spiritual beliefs that are important to your well-being.

Tell us who should make decisions when you cannot.

  • Your doctor, your family, and your care team need copies of the signed paperwork if:
    • You have designated a health care power of attorney
    • You have made a "living will"
    • You have signed an advance directive
  • Counselors, chaplains and others are available to help you and your family make difficult decisions
  • We respect the confidential relationship you have with your doctors and other caregivers.
  • Hospital operating policies and state and federal laws protect the privacy of your medical information.
  • You will receive a Notice of Medical Privacy that describes how the hospital uses, safeguards, and discloses patient information.
  • You have the right to obtain a copy of your care records.
  • The success of your treatment may depend on your efforts to follow medication, diet, and therapy plans.
  • Your family may need to help care for you at home.
  • We will help you identify sources of follow-up care.
  • You have a right to know if the hospital has a financial interest in any of the recommended resources.
  • If you agree to sharing your medical information with follow-up services, we will coordinate our activities with your outpatient caregivers.
  • You have the right to receive information about the care you will need when you return home.
  • You have the right to receive training, if needed for your self-care when you leave the hospital.
  • Our staff will file claims for you with health care insurers, Medicaid, and Medicare.
  • Our staff will provide necessary documentation for your doctor.
  • Contact our business office if you don't understand your hospital bill or have questions about it.
  • If you need help understanding your health plan or insurance coverage, contact your health benefits manager or insurance company first.
  • If you do not have health coverage, we will try to help you find financial help or make other arrangements.
  • You will need to help us collect needed information and other requirements to obtain coverage or assistance.

Quick Links

Patient forms, the advance directive, privacy statement, and other information will be provided in Spanish if needed. A translator will be provided to help you and your family communicate with hospital staff if needed. Translation service is available in several languages.

All patient rooms are equipped with telephones.

  • Credit card or collect long-distance calls may be placed by dialing 9 + 0 + the number.
  • To get an outside line, dial 9.
  • To call a patient room direct, dial 903-408-1 + the three digit room number.

Hunt Regional Medical Center patients who do not wish to receive telephone calls can notify the operator by dialing 0.

Telephones for the hearing impaired are available on request.