Lewis County Hospice
A special kind of caring, when it matters most

A Patient-Family Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

Each Patient or Legal Guardian has a right to:

     Care and Services

• To live in comfort, peace, and dignity for the duration of physical life
       
• To be treated with consideration, respect and full recognition of patient/family dignity, individuality and property
       
• To safe and competent care, including palliation of symptoms within the limits of professional capabilities
       
• To receive care without prejudice or discrimination
       
• To be able to participate in decision-making concerning care and treatment
       
• To receive referrals and appropriate follow up when care is discontinued

  Privacy

       

• To confidential treatment of patient records, and approval/refusal of their release to any individual outside the program except in the case of the patient’s transfer to a health care facility or as required by law or third party payment contract
       
• To have discussion of patient/family information conducted only with others involved in patient care 

  Receive Information 

       

• To be informed of these patient/ family rights, any options, the services provided, the charges and fees for services and the name and function of anyone or any agency providing services before the start of services and before changes are made in services rendered
       
• To be informed of the facts concerning the patient’s medical condition
       
• To have all questions to the extent of our professional ability

  Refuse Treatment 

       

• To refuse any medication or treatment after being fully informed of the consequences of such action 

  Voice Concern

       

• To be informed of procedures for submitting patient complaints and submitting patient complaints and investigative findings
       
• To recommend changes in policies and services to agency staff, the area office representatives of the department, or any outside representative of the patient’s choice, free from restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination or reprisal.
       
• To voice complaints about the provision (or lack) of care and services provided and to have the program investigate such complaints without discrimination or reprisal
       
• To have Hospice investigate and act to resolve any complaints lodged about care or treatment of property
       
• To voice opinions on quality of care issues

  Each patient has a responsibility to:

  Supply Information

       

• To his or her doctor or nurse about previous medical advice and medicines being taken about any change in health condition to his or her family, significant others and agency staff regarding where and how he/she wishes to be cared for to all involved in providing care regarding any advanced directives that the patient wishes to have in place

  Cooperate

       

• By following advice of doctors and agency staff and asking questions to fully understand
       
• By making physical arrangements in the home to meet the suggestion of doctors and nurses
       
• With professional advisors and avoid discrimination against helpers because of race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national or ethnic origin

     For all Patients and Families 

1.      Should you have any concerns or complaints regarding your care or services by this agency, please contact the Administrator or Nurse Coordinator at 376-5230.  The Director/Coordinator will investigate the problem and work to resolve it.  The patient/family will receive a follow-up written response to the complaint within 15 days of receiving the complaint.  If not satisfies, patients/families may appeal the response within 7 days.

2.      If you remain unsatisfied after taking the above action, you may contact the New York State Department of Health, Office of Health Systems Management Regional Office in Syracuse at (315)426-7710.

3.      A Home Health Agency Hotline is also available to provide the following information: name, address, and Medicare provider numbers of certified Home Health Agencies; date of most recent certification or re-certification of Home Health Agencies; the record of any condition level deficiencies regarding patient care at the time of the last agency re-certification; dates of planned or completed corrective actions of these deficiencies; dates and types of any sanctions imposed on the agencies.  The hotline can be reached Monday through Friday, with the exception of state holidays, at 1-800-628-5972 from 10 am to 4 pm.

For additional information, please contact the Administrator or Nurse Coordinator at the Lewis County Hospice office Monday through Friday, except county holidays, at 376-5230, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.