Patient's Rights and Responsibilities

Your Rights as a Patient

RMH Healthcare has a set of core values that include respect for the personal preferences and values of each patient. As a patient at RMH Healthcare, you will be provided this copy of your following rights.

All patients, regardless of age, gender, race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability or source of payment are afforded the same rights. Patients, parents, guardians and/or power of attorney for healthcare will be included in all treatment and medical plans.

As a patient, you have the right to…

Access care that is considerate and respectful of your personal values and beliefs, spiritual and religious traditions.
Information from your caregiver in terms and language you and/or your family or designee can understand. We will offer you aides for communication and translation services as needed. We will include information about your condition, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes including unanticipated outcomes, and consequences of refusal of treatment. We want you or a representative of your choice to make informed decisions about your care. Your care may include discharge planning/transfer to another facility, service or level of care
You have a right to an interpreter. Interpreters are provided at no cost. We have other communication tools, including TTY access and sign interpreters for the hearing impaired.
The names and titles of persons responsible for your treatments and procedures.
Express your wishes about future medical care through advance care planning such as an appointment of a Health Care Agent or creation of a Living Will. Advance Directives may include instructions for withholding and/or withdrawing life-supporting services and/or decisions regarding end-of-life care and future mental health decisions. We will respect and support your named designee, including a same sex partner in this decision.
Participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care. Pain management is included in your care plan. We support effective pain management and offer educational opportunities for you and your family.
Be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.
Be free from all forms of restraint which are not deemed medically necessary. If restraints are required, we will use the least restrictive measures to protect you and others from harm.
Personal privacy, access to your medical record within the limits of the law, to have your records kept confidential from those not involved in your care, and to receive care in a safe environment.
Consent or decline to take part in medical research affecting your care.
Have any conflicts managed appropriately and to have access to RMH Protective Services, the RMH patient advocate, Biomedical Ethics Committee member or administrative staff on call.
Access your medical records: You and/or your legal representative may request copies of your records within state law and hospital policy. You have a right to sit down and review your records in the presence of a healthcare provider.We are required to share how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can access information.You have a right to amend your record if you feel the information is not accurate. Please ask Health Information Management for help in doing this.
Have access to your hospital bill, to request a detailed itemized bill and a full explanation of charges and help in resolving any conflicts about your bill.
Choose who may visit you during an inpatient stay, regardless of whether the visitor is a family member, spouse and/or domestic partner. You may withdraw visitation rights to any one at any time.
We will also notify your family/representative and physician of your admission, per your request.

We ask that you participate in your healthcare decisions. We ask that you respect our tobacco-free campus policy. We ask that you share with us accurate and complete health information and health coverage information. We ask that you share a copy of any health care directive. We ask that you participate in your care, respect our staff, follow hospital rules, respect others and understand your financial obligations. Never hesitate to communicate to us, ask us questions and communicate your care needs and concerns.

RMH Healthcare encourages anyone who has concerns or complaints about patient safety or quality of care to bring them to the attention of RMH leadership. Please ask any staff member if you would like to speak to a department manager, director or nursing coordinator. You may also call 540-689-1000 or 877-689-1000 and ask to speak with the department manager or nursing coordinator. You are welcome to call the patient representative at 540-689-1234, or the Quality and Patient Safety department at 540-689-1650.You also have the right to report patient safety or quality of care concerns to:

VDH Office of Licensure and Certification
9960 Mayland Dr.
Suite 401
Richmond, VA 23233
Phone: 800-955-1819
www.vdh.virginia.gov

Patient Responsibilities

Good health care requires teamwork: patients and healthcare professionals working together. We strive to provide you with the highest quality health care. Meeting the following responsibilities will help ensure your safety and the effectiveness of your care:

Provide us with complete and accurate information about your healthcare.
Bring all medications with you to every appointment, inpatient stay and emergency room visit. This includes presciptions, overthe-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, eye drops and inhalers.
Wear your hospital identification band at all times. Staff will check your arm band often.
Provide a copy of your advanced directive (your healthcare power of attorney or living will).
Be an active participant in your plan of care with your physician and other healthcare provider. Communicate your care needs and/or concerns to your healthcare providers. Ask one member of your family to be your spokesperson for friends and family.
Recognize you are responsible for your valuables. Please send them home or have us lock them in our safe. Do not leave your valuables unattended.
RMH is a tobacco free campus. Tobacco products are not permitted anywhere on campus.
Understand and meet your financial obligations to Rockingham Memorial Hospital and its associates.
Respect the rights and property of other patients and hospital personnel.
Help us help you be safe while in the hospital. RMH and its departments, employees, medical staff and other health care professionals are committed to protecting your medical information. We create a record of the care and services you receive in order to provide you with quality care and to meet legal requirements. The RMH Notice of Privacy Practices explains how we use the health information you give us and tells you how this information will be shared with others. This document briefly explains those practices.

We will ask you to sign a written acknowledgement that you have been given an opportunity to review the RMH Notice of Privacy Practice when you register for RMH services.

Summary Information about the RMH Notice of Privacy Practices

The Hospital Directory

The directory information may be released to people who ask for you by name, to florists for the delivery of flowers and to individuals who deliver the mail. We will let them know:

Your name
Your room or location within the hospital
Your general conditions (e.g. fair, stable, etc.)
Time you will be discharged
If you are an inpatient, we will also ask if you would like your name included on the directory we give to local clergy

General Use of Your Information

In order to provide you with healthcare services, we must share your health information with others involved in your care, those involved in payment for your services, and for ongoing RMH business operations. We may also share your health information for:

Appointment reminders
Providing information on treatment alternatives
Other caregivers who are involved in your treatment
Family members or friends you request to be included in your care plans
Requirements by law or regulation
Public Health requirements
Threats to health or safety

Your Privacy Rights

You have the following rights regarding medical information we maintain about you:

Right to review and receive a copy
Right to ask for a restriction on the use of your information
Right to make changes to your information
Right to obtain of list of disclosure
Right to file a complaint or concern about privacy practices

For questions or concerns about RMH privacy practices, contact the RMH Privacy Officer at 540-689-1680.

To receive a copy of our complete RMH Notice of Privacy Practice brochure, call RMH Healthsource at 564-7200 or stop by any RMH Registration area.

Advance Care Planning / Your Right to Decide

All adults can benefit from thinking about what their healthcare choices would be if they are unable to speak for themselves. These decisions can be written down in an advance directive so that others know what they are. Advance directives come in two main forms:

A "healthcare power of attorney" (or "proxy" or "agent" or "surrogate") documents the person you select to be your voice for your healthcare decisions if you cannot speak for yourself.
A "living will" documents what kinds of medical treatments you would or would not want at the end of life.

We will be happy to answer any questions you may have and/or help you complete your directive. If you have a completed directive we ask that you give us a copy to put with your admission records.

Please ask at any RMH Registration area, nursing unit or call RMH Healthsource at 564-7200 for a free informational booklet and Virginia form.

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