Northwest Renal Network Patients' Rights and Responsibilities

As consumers of ESRD services, you have both rights and responsibilities, whether you receive care in hospital units, free-standing facilities, are transplant recipients, or home dialysis patients.

Each ESRD facility in Northwest Renal Network has its own patients' bill of rights or patients' rights and responsibilities statement. It is the responsibility of facility staff to inform patients of their rights and their responsibilities, as well as the facility's policy for grievance resolution. You should have a copy of your facility's policy, and know which staff member(s) you can contact if you have any questions. Check with your facility to find out who these individuals are.

Although the wording of patients' rights and responsibilities statements may vary in each facility, most include the following elements:

RIGHTS

1. Patient Access to Information
   • Information on services available in the facility.

   • Information on the costs of services, and on sources of payment.

   • Information on your medical condition and treatment options.

   • Information on your rights and responsibilities, facility rules and regulations, and facility grievance procedures.

   • Access to a language interpreter.

2. Respect and Dignity
   • Treatment with consideration and respect.

   • Confidentiality of medical treatment and financial records.

   • Respect for personal and medical privacy.

   • Confidentiality in pursuing grievance procedures.

3. Participation in Planning Care and Treatment
   • Participation in decisions involving your health care program and development of your long-term plan.

   • Knowledge of professionals responsible for your care.

   • Right to refuse to participate in experimental treatment.

   • Right to refuse or discontinue medical treatment.

   • Ability to request transfer to another facility or physician.
     
     

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Being a knowledgeable participant in your health care team.

2. Keeping scheduled appointments, or notifying your facility when an appointment must be cancelled.

3. Participating in health care decision-making and design of your treatment program.

4. Complying with the treatment program.

5. Treating staff and other patients with respect and consideration.

6. Financial responsibility for services provided.

7. Knowledge of services covered by insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or other third party, as it applies to you.
   

Page updated 8/17/2001