As a patient at the Ashtabula County Medical Center, you have certain rights and responsibilities, which protect you and help us provide you with efficient, quality health care.

Patient Rights:

• The patient has the right to know that physicians who render professional services are independent practitioners and are not employees or agents of the hospital. The hospital is not responsible for the acts or omissions of the physicians that are not directed or controlled by the hospital.
• The patient has the right to considerate and respectful care, provided in a safe environment. This hospital supports a culture of safety, which provides activities, and resources that contribute to the maintenance and improvement of safety on an ongoing, proactive basis.
• The patient has the right to be well-informed about their illness, possible treatments,and likely outcome and/or unanticipated outcomes of care and to discuss this information with the physician. The patient has the right to know the names and roles of people treating him/her.
• The patient has the right to have pain addressed and treated. Pain treatment is an important part of care. The patient shall be informed of pain relief measures available and care will be rendered based on current pain management techniques by healthcare professionals.
• The patient has the right to consent or refuse a treatment as permitted by law throughout hospitalization. If the patient refuses treatment, they will receive other needed and available care.
• The patient has the right to an advance directive such as living will or healthcare proxy. These documents express choices about future care or name of someone to make decisions if the patient cannot speak for himself or herself. The patient should provide a copy to the hospital, family, and physician.
• The patient has the right to personal privacy. The hospital, physician, and others caring for the patient will protect the patient's privacy as much as possible.
• The patient has the right to expect that treatment records are confidential unless the patient has given permission to release the information or reporting is required or permitted by law. When the hospital releases records to others, such as insurers, it emphasizes that the records are confidential.
• The patient has the right to review the medical record and have the information explained, except when restricted by law.
• The patient has the right to expect that the hospital will provide necessary health services to the best of its ability. Treatment, referral, or transfer may be recommended. If treatment is recommended or requested, the patient will be informed of risks, benefits and alternatives. The patient will not be transferred until the other institution agrees to accept you.
• The patient has the right to know if this hospital has a relationship with outside parties that may influence treatment and care. These relationships may be with educational institutions, other health care providers or insurers.
• The patient has the right to have their own physician and family member or representative notified promptly if they would like Ashtabula County Medical Center to do so.
• The patient has the right to know the reasons for any proposed change in the professional staff responsible for care.
• The patient has the right to be told of realistic care alternatives when hospital care is no longer appropriate.
• The patient has the right to receive an itemized explanation of their medical bill and to be informed of all sources of reimbursement for the medical services you receive.
• The patient has the right to receive standard medical care. ACMC will not use physical or chemical restraint or seclusion as a means of coercion, convenience or retaliation.
• The patient has the right to know about other resources - such as patient representatives, the grievance process or ethics committee - that can help resolve problems and questions about the hospital stay and care.

Patient Responsibilities:

• The patient has the responsibility to provide information about his/her health, including past illnesses, hospital stay, pain and use of medicine.
• The patient has the responsibility to ask questions when they do not understand information or instructions.
• The patient has the responsibility to tell the physician when they can't follow through with treatment.
• The patient and visitors have the responsibility to be considerate of the needs of other patients, staff and the hospital.
• The patient has the responsibility to provide information for insurance and for working with the hospital to arrange payment, when needed.
• The patient has the responsibility to recognize the effect of his/her lifestyle on personal health.

Ashtabula County Medical Center serves many purposes; to improve people's health; treat people with injury or disease; educate doctors, health professionals, patients, and community members; and improve understanding of health and disease. In carrying out these activities, Ashtabula County Medical Center will work to respect the patient's values and dignity.