Understanding Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Patient

Knowing your rights and responsibilities when receiving healthcare is fundamental to ensuring quality care and respectful treatment. At Paris Regional Health, we are dedicated to honoring these rights and fostering a collaborative environment where patients feel empowered and informed. This document outlines what you can expect from your healthcare experience and what is expected of you in return. It is designed to promote transparency, respect, and active participation in your care journey, aligning with legal and ethical standards.

Patient Rights

You Have the Right to Expect Compassionate and Respectful Care

As a patient within Paris Regional Health, you are entitled to receive treatment that upholds your dignity, respects your privacy, and responds reasonably to your needs. This includes being treated in a safe environment where your personal rights are protected. The hospital commits to ensuring that your confidentiality is maintained, and your security is prioritized at all times. You have the right to be free from neglect, exploitation, and any form of abuse—whether verbal, mental, physical, or sexual.

The hospital will deliver care, treatment, and services aligned with its capabilities and mission, all while adhering to applicable laws and regulations. You are entitled to clear information about the individuals responsible for your care and those providing your treatments. Respecting your cultural and personal values is a core principle, and discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, language, disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity is strictly prohibited.

Religious and spiritual services are available to support your emotional and spiritual needs, and you will be informed about your rights and responsibilities upon admission—including how your advance directives will be handled. Your access to care will not be affected by whether or not you have an advance directive, and you will have the right to request amendments to your health information and receive an account of disclosures, respecting privacy laws.

Participation in your healthcare decisions is a fundamental right. You can expect to be involved in discussions about your treatment options and to have your family and physician promptly notified upon admission. When you are unable to make decisions, a legally recognized surrogate decision maker will be involved to advocate for your preferences. The hospital will provide all necessary information to help you or your surrogate understand the outcomes of your care, including any unanticipated events or sentinel complications as identified by The Joint Commission.

Family involvement, with your consent, is encouraged to support your care and decision-making process. Your right to give or withhold informed consent extends to all procedures and use of images or recordings for purposes beyond your treatment. The environment will be maintained to preserve your dignity and promote a positive self-image, and you have the right to refuse care or treatment in accordance with law.

End-of-life decisions, including organ donation preferences, will be respected within legal and hospital policies. You will be kept informed of the outcomes of your care, including unexpected results, and communication will be tailored to your needs—providing interpreters or accessible information for those with impairments. The hospital will actively review and address complaints from patients and their families, ensuring transparency and support.

Discharge planning and access to protective services will be coordinated thoughtfully. You will be informed of your responsibilities during your stay, including policies on visitation, which allow family and friends to be present for emotional support unless restrictions are necessary for clinical reasons. Your rights during research participation and clinical trials will be protected, ensuring respectful and ethical treatment at all times.

Patient Responsibilities

You Have the Responsibility to:

Providing honest and complete information about your medical history, current health, medications, and any prior treatments is essential for your safety and effective care. If you have an advance directive, it is your responsibility to share it with your healthcare team. Communicating openly about your diagnosis, treatment plans, or prognosis helps ensure you receive appropriate care and that you understand your options.

Cooperation with your healthcare providers, including following prescribed treatments and reporting any unexpected changes, is crucial. You should work collaboratively with your team to develop and follow a pain management plan and adhere to dietary guidelines prescribed by your physician. Respecting others—patients, visitors, and staff—is vital to maintaining a safe and positive environment. Disruptive or threatening behaviors will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the premises.

Compliance with visiting hours and policies, refraining from leaving the treatment area without authorization, and abstaining from smoking or unauthorized medication use are expected responsibilities. You should review your bill, ask questions about charges, and fulfill your financial obligations, providing necessary insurance or payment information to facilitate billing processes.

If you experience dissatisfaction or concerns about your care, you are encouraged to communicate these to your healthcare team. Reporting any unsafe conditions or changes in your health promptly helps prevent complications. You are also responsible for following hospital policies, respecting the rights of others, and assisting in maintaining a tranquil environment by managing noise and distractions.

Understanding and adhering to your treatment plan, including non-compliance consequences, is important. If applicable, you should abide by any Patient Care Contract you have signed. You also have the right to file complaints with appropriate authorities, such as the Texas Department of State Health and Human Services, or escalate concerns to The Joint Commission, which oversees healthcare quality standards.

By participating actively and responsibly in your healthcare, you help ensure a positive, safe, and respectful experience. For further insights into how health technology is transforming patient care, explore this resource on innovative medical tools. Additionally, staying informed about how artificial intelligence is shaping healthcare can empower you to make better decisions, as discussed in this article about AI’s role in medicine. For a historical perspective on the integration of AI into healthcare, visit this overview of its early adoption.