Patient Rights and Responsibilities

It is the policy of MercyOne Elkader Medical Center, MercyOne Elkader Family Medicine and MercyOne Monona Family Medicine. to inform all patients of their rights and responsibilities whenever possible, in a language or manner that the patient understands.  MercyOne Elkader Medical Center and Clinics will provide access to treatment for all and prohibits discrimination based on age, race, creed, color, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, diagnosis, payor source (including but not limited to Medicare, Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program/CHIP) or ability to pay. MercyOne Elkader Medical Center and Clinics implement policies promoting the following rights of persons served: 

The right to respectful, skillful, and compassionate care of your mind, spirit/body.

• You will receive health care that meets professional standards with assurance of reasonable safety within the hospital.
• You may expect to have preservation of individual dignity and protection of personal privacy in receipt of care.
• You may accept or refuse visitors. You may designate a support person to represent your wishes. The hospital will not restrict, limit or otherwise deny visitation privileges on the basis of age, race, creed, color, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, diagnosis, payor source (including but not limited to Medicare, Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program/CHIP) or ability to pay. Additionally, the hospital will ensure all visitors enjoy full and equal visitation privileges consistent with patient preferences. If a conflict arises the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) will resolve the conflict based on the Visitation Rights Policy.
• You have the right to expect unrestricted access to communication but sometimes it may be necessary, as a component of your care, to restrict visitors, mail, telephone calls, or other forms of communication. You and your family will be included in any such decision.
• You will have knowledge of the identity of the physician or other practitioner primarily responsible for your care as well as the identity and professional status of others providing services to you while you are in the hospital.

The right to personal privacy, confidentiality, and availability of records.

• You may expect that any discussion or conversation regarding your care will be discreet and professional in nature.
• You may access your records in a reasonable time frame and have your records explained to you.
• You have protection from unauthorized review of your records. Confidentiality will be maintained of medical and other appropriate information.

The right to information that will permit you to participate in development and implementation of your plan of care.

• You have the right to information regarding your care unless medically contraindicated; the right to request a consult with a specialist at your expense; and the right to refuse treatment, procedures or participation in experimental research to the extent authorized by law.
• You may make informed decisions regarding your care, this includes choosing a personal attending physician, being informed as to health status and prognosis, care planning, treatment, requesting treatment and refusing treatment.
• You may ask questions and expect honest, understandable answers allowing you to participate in and make informed decisions about your care.
• You may assist in the formulation of your health care and advance directives and have providers comply with these directives.
• You may have a family member, representative or physician notified promptly of your admission to the hospital.
• You may have access to hospital billing information pertaining to you and have it explained to you.

The right to education regarding your condition, its causes and treatment.

• You may expect to receive the appropriate knowledge and skills necessary to manage your condition.
• You may expect to receive and use necessary information enabling you to achieve a healthier lifestyle.
• You will be asked to provide information about your health, including past illnesses, hospital stays and medications.

The right to spiritual counseling.

• You have access to confidential spiritual counseling.You may choose or refuse a visit by clergy or any pastoral care person. You may request religious observances of your choice.

The right to be safe from all forms abuse, financial or other exploitation, retaliation, humiliation and neglect.

• This includes the right to be free from restraints of any form that are not medically necessary. You may only have a restraint used  to improve your well being when least restrictive methods are ineffective. Your condition will be continually assessed, monitored, and reevaluated while restrained. The restraint must be: 
   
  • Ordered by a physician, never as a standing or PRN order, and followed by a consultation with the treating physician as soon as possible.
  • In accordance with a written modification to the plan of care.
  • Implemented in the least restrictive manner.
  • In accordance with safe and appropriate restraining techniques.
  • Ended at the earliest possible time.

The right to a fair, fast and objective review of any complaint/grievance you have against MercyOne Elkader Medical Center.

• If you have any questions about your rights and responsibilities while in the hospital, contact your primary nurse. If you do have a complaint/grievance, you can register the complaint by using any of the options below: