Patient Rights and Responsibilities

VALLEY SURGERY CENTER | SERVING SCOTTSDALE & GREATER PHOENIX

Valley Surgery Center takes patient rights and responsibilities seriously without regard to national origin, disability, race, color, religion, age, sexual orientation, or personal belief systems.

Patient Rights

Patients have the right to:

• be informed about patient rights before, during, and when stopping care. Patients have the option to appoint someone else to access this information on their behalf.
• use these rights without limitation in regards to national origin, disability, race, color, religion, age, sexual orientation, or personal belief systems.
• enjoy privacy during treatment and the ability to take care of personal needs in a respectful, safe space.
• not be subjected to neglect, coercion, abuse of any kind, assault, seclusion, or exploitation.
• get treatment that’s respectful to spiritual, personal, religious, cultural, and psychological needs and beliefs. Conversations regarding these needs will be addressed during initial consultations.
• have access to advocacy services, protective services, and/or have such services accessed on their behalf.
• appropriate assessment and management of pain.
• not be subjected to restraints/seclusion that isn’t medically necessary.
• know the doctor’s (s’) name(s) who are coordinating and managing care.
• access information regarding the patient’s own health diagnosis, status, treatment plans, and after care (including unexpected outcome related care).
• know the recovery prospects in understandable terms.
• get information regarding treatment options and procedures so the patient can be an active part of the process—including the option to refuse treatment.
• have access to all procedure information, including risks and alternatives, except in emergency situations.
• create and manage Advance Directives and/or Living Wills while having a medical team/staff that abides by these legal documents.
• have a representative or loved one notified immediately when the patient arrives at Valley Surgery Center (if the patient wishes).
• have the patient’s primary physician notified immediately when the patient arrives at Valley Surgery Center (if the patient wishes).
• enjoy full privacy consideration regarding the medical care plan. This includes handling consultations, exams, and treatments discreetly. If another person not on the designated medical team is present during any of these instances, the patient has the right to know their name and reason for their presence.
• confidential treatment regarding communications and health records. Written permission is required before medical records become available to any person not involved with current patient care.
• get information in “laymen’s terms” based on the patient’s needs, age, language, and understanding.
• get medical record-related information within a “reasonable time” (often 48 hours after request).
• get reasonable answers to requests for service.
• leave Valley Surgery Center any time, even if it goes against a doctor’s advice.
• refuse treatment.
• refuse (or not) being part of a research/experimental treatment.
• withdraw consent to a treatment if the treatment hasn’t started.
• receive reasonable ongoing care.
• be made aware of the complaint process including who to contact, how, and when a written response can be expected.
• not undergo retaliation from a grievance to any entity.
• be made aware if anyone at Valley Surgery Center is proposing human experimentation following treatment.
• refuse participation in human experiments or discontinue if the project challenges quality care.
• enjoy all patient rights if the patient does decide to be part of a research, clinical trial, or investigation.
• have a written consent form regarding research, clinical trials, or investigations within a patient’s medical records.
• know all continuing healthcare recommendations and/or requirements before being discharged.
• access a referral to another provider/center if Valley Surgery Center cannot offer adequate treatment/services.
• receive bills with an explanation regarding payment source.
• have all rules and policies explained.
• have patient rights explained to any person who is legally responsible for making patient decisions.
• get assistance from a loved one, family member, or representative regarding patient rights.
• know that all staff at Valley Surgery Center know and will abide by Patient Rights.

Patient Responsibilities

Patients have responsibilities as well as rights in order to ensure the best possible care and outcome. Patients have the responsibility to:

• offer full, accurate information about medical complaints, histories, and medications.
• immediately alert staff of possible care risks or condition changes.
• ask anyone responsible for care regarding treatment, procedures, test results, and conditions.
• immediately tell staff about any errors spotted.
• follow treatment plan as provided by the medical team at Valley Surgery Center.
• arrive at appointments in a timely fashion.
• call in advance if possible if an appointment needs to be canceled or rescheduled.
• take responsibility for actions, including the refusal of treatment and/or not following orders from the doctor(s).
• make sure bills are paid and financial obligations are met.
• follow Valley Surgery Center policies.
• be considerate of others’ rights, including fellow patients and staff.
• be respectful of Valley Surgery Center property and the personal property of others on site.
• secure a responsible adult for transportation if required, and making sure that person stays with the patient for at least 24 hours (if required by Valley Surgery Center).