As defined in Public Act 368 of the Public Health Code, the Patient Rights and Responsibilities are available so you may know what you can expect and what is expected of you as a patient at South Haven Health System.

The Patient’s Rights
The following rights are affirmed for the patients of the South Haven Health System.

1. The right to courteous and individualized treatment at all times, which is equitable, humane and given without discrimination or your ability to pay for care.
2. The right to know the physician who is responsible for coordination of care. The right to receive from the physician, information concerning diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in understandable terms. In certain instances, it may not be medically advisable to give such information to the patient and may be made available to an appropriate person on the patient’s behalf.
3. The right to receive an explanation from the physician on any procedure or treatment to which the patient is asked to consent. The right to reach a decision about such prescribed procedure or treatment after having been made aware of its medical necessity, possible risks and known alternatives. The right to know the name of the person responsible for the procedure or treatment.
4. The right to privacy concerning the patient’s medical care program. Also, the right to expect that all communications and records pertaining to the patient’s care will be treated as confidential. The right to review your medical records and to obtain a copy of your medical record for a fee. The hospital participates in the education of health professionals and conforms to requirements for the review of the care of patients by health professionals, which we believe enhances the level of care the patients receive. Reports concerning the patient’s diagnosis, treatment and continuing health care requirements may be reported to the patient’s community physician or dentist, unless otherwise directed.
5. The right to expect that within its capacity, the hospital will make a reasonable response to requests for services. When medically permissible, the patient may be transferred to another facility only after the patient has received complete information and explanation concerning the needs for and alternatives to such a transfer. Arrangements will be made for transfer if necessary.
6. The right to receive an explanation of the relationship of this hospital to other health care organizations when such a relationship affects the patient’s present or future health care needs. The right to obtain information as to the existence of any professional relationships among individuals who are treating the patient.
7. The right to exercise spiritual and cultural beliefs to the extent that this is neither disruptive nor harmful to the patient and/or others.
8. The patient will be advised if the hospital purposes to involve the introduction of any experimental methods of diagnosis and/or treatment. The patient has the right to refuse to participate in these programs.
9. The right to expect reasonable continuity of care. The patient’s physician or a delegate of the physician will inform the patient of the patient’s continuing health care requirements following discharge.
10. The right to have pain assessed, monitored and managed according to patient’s needs.
11. The right to examine and receive an explanation of the bill regardless of the source of payment.
12. The right to an explanation of hospital rules and regulations which apply to the patient’s hospitalization.
13. Child and adolescent patients are entitled to all the rights and responsibilities guaranteed to patients by the South Haven Health System Patient Bill of Rights. These rights and responsibilities are also extended to their parents and/or guardians.
14. The pediatric patient rights and responsibilities are shared with the patient and parents and/or guardians at the time of admission.
15. The right of the patient or the patient’s representative to participate in ethical decisions that may arise relative to their care.
16. Patients and/or family members are informed that if they become dissatisfied about their care, they may issue a complaint to the Patient Relations Representative. The person in this capacity is the Patient Care Supervisor who will assist you to resolve your concerns.

Patient Responsibilities
Patients of the South Haven Health System have the following responsibilities:

1. The responsibility to provide accurate and complete health and illness information, to report changes in condition and to indicate understanding of plans for care and treatment.
2. The responsibility to comply with treatment plans established by the patient’s physician and other persons responsible for the patient’s care and treatment.
3. The responsibility for being considerate of the rights of other patients and health care personnel.
4. The responsibility to assure that the financial obligations of their health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.
5. The responsibility to comply with hospital rules and regulations.