Client Rights and Responsibilities

Subject to certain provisions of law (DHMH 10-701-10), you have a right to:

• Receive considerate, respectful, and compassionate care.
• Be provided care in a safe environment free from all forms of abuse and neglect, including verbal, mental, physical, and sexual abuse
• Have respect shown for your personal values, beliefs, and wishes.
• Receive care that respects your cultural and spiritual needs.
• Be informed about your rights.
• Know the names of staff directly involved in your care.
• Be involved in your plan of care.
• Receive information about your diagnosis and understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives of recommended treatment or medication.
• Give informed consent before any nonemergency care is provided, including the benefits and risk of the care, alternatives to the care, and the benefits and risk of the alternatives to the care.
• Have a medical screening exam and be screened, assessed, and treated for pain.
• Refuse a recommended treatment to the extent permitted by law, and to be informed of the medical consequences of your refusal.
• Agree or refuse to take part in medical research studies, without the agreement or refusal affecting your care.
• Be free from restraints or seclusion
• The protection of your privacy and confidentiality in care discussions and treatments in addition to your medical records.
• Request information about charges and ask for an estimate of treatment charges with the understanding that this information may not be available at the time of admission.
• Make or change an advance directive, as clinically appropriate. Appoint an individual of your choice to make health care decisions for you, if you are unable to do so.
• File a complaint or initiate a grievance and have the complaint or grievance reviewed without the complaint affecting your care.
• Receive information in a manner that is understandable, which may include: i) sign and foreign language interpreters; ii) Alternative formats, including large print, braille, audio recordings, computer files; and iii) vision, speech, hearing, and other temporary aids as needed without charge.
• Access to your medical records in accordance with HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.
• Be assisted by a mental health advocate. Be provided a list of protective and advocacy services when needed.
• Receive attention when you request help, with the understanding that other patients may have more urgent needs.
• Any person who presents for and/or inquires about possible services will be screened to determine the appropriate level of care and/or treatment available in the least restrictive environment regardless of sex, age, race, spiritual orientation, color, national origin, language, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, source of payment for care, or nature or severity of disabling condition.

Your responsibilities as a client are:

• To treat your doctors, health care providers, other patients, and visitors with dignity and respect.
• To participate in treatment recommendations and understand possible outcomes for not following recommendations.
• To ask questions when prescribed treatment is unclear.
• To follow facility guidelines for safety and voice any concerns for your safety or care.