Rights of Patients

1. The patient has the right to considerate and respectful care.
2. The patient has the right to obtain from their physician complete, current information concerning their diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in terms the patient can be reasonably expected to understand. When it is not medically advisable to give such information to the patient, the information should be made available to an appropriate person on his/her behalf. The patient has the right to know, by name, the physician responsible for their care.
3. The patient has the right to receive from their physician, information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure(s) and/or treatment. Except in emergencies, such information for informed consent should include, but not necessarily be limited to, the specific procedure(s) and/or treatment, the medically significant risks involved, and the probable duration of incapacitation. Where medically significant alternatives for care or treatment exist, or when the patient requests information concerning medical alternatives, the patient has the right to such information. The patient also has the right to know the name of the person responsible for the procedure(s) and/or treatment.
4. The patient has the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law, and to be informed of the medical consequences of their action.
5. The patient has the right to every consideration of their privacy concerning their own medical care program. Case discussion, consultation, examination, and treatment are confidential and should be conducted discretely. Those not directly involved in their care must have the permission of the patient to be present.
6. The patient has the right to expect that all communications, financial information and medical records pertaining to their care will be treated as confidential.
7. The patient has the right to expect that, within its capacity, The Surgery Center must make reasonable responses to the request of a patient for services. The Surgery Center must provide evaluation, service, and/or referral as indicated by the urgency of the case. When medically permissible, a patient may be transferred to another facility only after they have received complete information and explanation concerning the needs for, and alternatives to, such a transfer. The institution to which the patient is to be transferred must first have accepted the patient transfer.
8. The patient has the right to obtain information as to any relationship of The Surgery Center to other health care and educational institutions insofar as their care is concerned. The patient has the right to obtain information as to the existence of any professional relationships among individuals, by name, who are treating them.
9. The patient has the right to be advised if The Surgery Center proposes to engage in or perform human experimentation affecting their care of treatment. The patient has the right to refuse to participate in such research projects.
10. The patient has the right to expect continuity of care.
11. The patient has the right to examine and receive an explanation of their bill regardless of source of payment.
12. The patient has the right to know that The Surgery Center has rules and regulations (aka PATIENT RESPONSIBILITIES) that apply to their conduct as a patient .
13. The patient has the right to know if their private physician has an investment ownership in The Surgery Center.

Patient Responsibilities

1. It is your responsibility to read and understand all permits and/or consents you are to sign. If you do not understand, ask the nurse or physician to clarify for you.
2. It is your responsibility to answer all medical questions truthfully, to the best of your knowledge.
3. It is your responsibility to follow the pre-operative instructions your physician and/or The Surgery Center has given you.
4. It is your responsibility to notify The Surgery Center if you have not followed pre-operative instructions.
5. It is your responsibility to provide transportation to and from The Surgery Center appropriate with the medications and/or anesthetics you will be receiving.
6. It is your responsibility to follow the post-operative instructions the physician(s) and/or nurses give you. This includes post-operative appointments.
7. It is your responsibility to contact your physician if you have any complications.
8. It is your responsibility to assure all payments for services rendered are on a timely basis and ultimate responsibility is yours, regardless of whatever insurance coverage you may have.
9. It is your responsibility to notify Barbara Peris Draves, CASC, Administrator of The Surgery Center, if you feel your rights have been violated, or if you have a complaint.

Patient Guardian

The patient's guardian, next of kin, or legally authorized responsible person has the right to exercise the rights delineated on the patient's behalf, to the extent permitted by law, if the patient:

1. has been adjudicated incompetent in accordance with the law.
2. has been designated a legal representative to act on their behalf.
3. is a minor.

Physician Participation

This is to inform you that your physician might have a financial interest or ownership in The Surgery Center. Currently there are no physicians who have a direct or indirect ownership interest of 5 percent or more.

Advance Directives

In accordance with Ohio law, The Surgery Center must inform you that we are not required to honor and do not honor DNR directives. A healthcare power of attorney will be honored.

If a patient should provide his/her advance directive, a copy will be placed on the patient's medical record and transferred with the patient should a hospital transfer be ordered by his/her physician.

At all times the patient or his/her representative will be able to obtain any information they need to give informed consent before any treatment or procedure.

In order to assure that the community is served by this facility, information concerning advance directives is available at the facility. While the state of Ohio does not have a specific form required for an advance directive, sample forms are available at The Surgery Center's office. To obtain this form and information, please call 440-826-3240.

Patient Rights Notification

Each patient at The Surgery Center will be notified of their rights in the following manner:

1. A verbal notice provided in advance of the day of their surgery in a language and manner the patient understands.
2. A written notice provided in advance of the day of surgery in a language and manner the patient understands.
3. A posted notice visible by patients and families waiting for treatment.

Patient Grievances

The patient and family are encouraged to help the facility improve its understanding of the patient's environment by providing feedback, suggestions, comments and/or complaints regarding the service needs, and expectations.

A complaint or grievance should be registered by contacting the center. You may also contact a patient advocate at the Ohio Department of Health or Medicare. The Surgery Center will respond in writing with notice of how the grievance has been addressed.

The Surgery Center
Barbara Peris Draves, CASC, Administrator
19250 East Bagley Road
Middleburg Heights, OH 44130
440-826-3240
Fax: 440-826-3250

Ohio Department of Health
246 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43251
1-800-342-0553

Medicare Beneficiary
Ombudsman
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
www.medicare.gov (ombudsman link is in left hand column)

The Joint Commission
One Renaissance Blvd.
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
630-798-5000
www.jointcommission.org