Patient Rights, Responsibilities and Safety

Your health care is our priority. You are why we are here.

At OHSU, we provide patient and family-centered care. That means :

  • We know who you are and care about you as a unique individual.
  • We attend to your physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
  • We acknowledge that we are guests in your life.
  • We earn your trust and become your partner.

If we are not doing what you expect, we hope you will tell us.

As an OHSU patient, you have the right to:

  • Respect and consideration.
  • Privacy and personal dignity.
  • Know the names of people who are helping or caring for you.
  • Request a chaperone to be present during your examination.
  • Provide the name of your decision maker about your care.
  • Time to ask questions and receive answers.
  • Be involved in your care plan and plans for your care after leaving the hospital.
  • Receive information about your health condition and results of the care we provided.
  • Informed consent; means you have a right to understand and agree to care plan provider recommends.
  • Informed refusal; means you have a right to refuse care and receive information about the risks and benefits of refusing care your provider recommends.
  • Prepare an Advance Directive, informing your health care providers or family members in advance about the care you do or do not want to receive, and have your decisions respected.
  • Refuse to take part in research.
  • Feel free from harassment or discrimination.
  • Request and receive relief from pain, as agreed upon by your provider.
  • Feel safe and free from any form of abuse or neglect. You have the right to ask for protection or help from an advocate during your visit.
  • Access to pastoral and other spiritual services.
  • Be free from restraint, unless it is necessary to keep you safe.
  • Understand a decision to transfer you to another facility.
  • Review and ask questions about your bill.
  • Tell us about your concerns or complaints and to receive a response without affecting the quality or delivery of care.

As an OHSU patient you, your family and visitors have a responsibility to:

  • Be thoughtful of other patients and visitors.
  • Be considerate and respectful of people who are helping or caring for you.
  • Refrain from using profanity, threatening language or behavior.
  • Provide accurate, honest and complete information about your medical history, including information about medications and drugs you have used, previous illnesses, injuries or medical care, and information about your current health conditions.
  • Take part in your health care decisions unless you give that responsibility to a friend or family member.
  • Ask questions and tell us when you do not understand a treatment or decision we are considering.
  • Tell us about unexpected changes in your condition and things about your care you think might be risks.
  • Follow instructions once you and your provider have agreed on your care.
  • Accept what happens if you do not follow the care plan or treatment your providers recommend.
  • Let the staff know if you must leave a care area (hospital or clinic) and when you expect to return.
  • Follow hospital policies.
  • Carefully review the OHSU Notice of Privacy Practices, which explains how we may use or share your health information. The NPP also explains how you may have access to this information.
  • Cancel appointments you are not able to keep.
  • Share your compliments and concerns, and provide suggestions that will help us provide you the best possible care.
  • Meet your financial obligations.

Patient Safety:

When you are a patient at OHSU, you have a right to receive safe medical care. Being involved in your care is one important way to be certain you are safe.

Know your medicines: Make a list of the medicines your doctors prescribe. Include over-the-counter medicines. Keep your list up to date as you begin or stop taking medicines. Always bring your list with you when you receive medical care.

Ask questions: Understand your illness, treatments, necessary surgeries or procedures, the medicine you will take, and how to care for yourself at home.

Double check: Help our staff provide safe care and a safe care environment. Its OK to ask if they remembered to:

  • Confirm they are providing care to the correct patient
  • Wash their hands
  • Mark the site for your surgery or procedure
  • Do everything they could to protect you from falling

Concerns and Suggestions:

Please let us know about your concerns, tell us your complaints and suggest ways we can improve. If you are concerned or upset about your visit, we would like you to talk with the manager of the service before you leave. The manager can resolve the problem or clear up a misunderstanding. If you still have a concern after talking with the manager, please contact the Patient Relations Office.

Compliments:

Rose Award - Is a simple way to show appreciation for special attention or care you received from an OHSU employee. Forms and drop boxes are available in many areas or online at www.ohsu.edu/volserv/rose.html.

Notice of Privacy Practices:

OHSU protects the privacy of its patients personal health information. If you would like a copy of the OHSU Notice of Privacy Practices, please ask for a copy at your next visit or call (503) 494-8849.

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