The Board of Directors outlines the following patient's rights with the expectation that observance of these rights will contribute to more effective patient care and greater satisfaction for the patient, his/her health practitioner and the hospital organization. It is also recognized that legislation concerning the privacy of personal health information must be followed (ie Bill 31- PHIPA).
The patient has the right to considerate and respectful care.
The patient has the right to obtain from his/her physician complete current information concerning his/her diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in terms the patient or the substitute decision-maker 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 substitute person, as allowed under Bill 31 (PHIPA), on his/her behalf.
The patient has a right to know, by name, the physician responsible for coordinating his/her care.
The patient has the right to have their personal health information protected from unauthorized collection, use, or distribution. Temiskaming Hospital will use implied consent (in most instances) as the mechanism for informed consent, unless explicit consent is required by Bill 31. It is recognized that personal health information may be shared with other care providers, as allowed within the concept of the "circle of care". The "circle of care" will include your family clinician, other referring or consulting clinicians, all healthcare professionals within NEON, eCHN member care providers, and other health related individuals or agencies allowed access under Bill 31.
The patient or substitute decision-maker has the right to provide informed consent for the collection, use and sharing of their personal health information and to receive from the health practitioner, information to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment. Except in emergencies, such information for informed consent should include but not necessarily be limited to the specific procedure 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 or the substitute decision-maker requests information concerning medical alternatives, the patient or substitute decision-maker has the right to such information.
The patient or substitute decision-maker also has the right to know the name of the person responsible for the procedures and/or treatment.
The patient or the substitute decision-maker has limited rights to refuse the collection, use and sharing of their personal health information and treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of his/her action.
The patient has the right to every consideration of his/her privacy concerning his/her own personal health information and medical care program. Case discussion, consultation, examination and treatment are confidential and should be conducted discreetly. Those not directly involved in his/her care must have the permission of the patient to be present during any care processes.
The patient has the right to expect that all communication and records pertaining to his/her care will be treated as confidential and that there will be control processes in place to safeguard the use and sharing of their personal health information in a manner that is compliant with Bill 31 (PHIPA).
The patient or the substitute decision-maker has the right to expect that within its capacity, the hospital will respond reasonably to his/her request for services. The hospital 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 he/she has 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 for transfer.
The patient or the substitute decision-maker has the right to obtain information regarding any relationship of this hospital to other health care and educational institutions insofar as his/her care is concerned.
The patient or the substitute decision-maker has the right to obtain information as to the existence of any professional relationships among individuals, by name, who are providing care.
The patient or substitute decision-maker has the right to expect reasonable continuity of care. He/she has a right to expect that the hospital will provide a mechanism whereby the patient or the substitute decision-maker is informed by his/her health practitioner or a delegate of the health practitioner of the patient's continuing health care requirements following discharge.
The patient or the substitute decision-maker has the right to examine and receive an explanation of his/her bill regardless of source of payment.
The patient or substitute decision-maker has a right to know what hospital rules and regulations apply to his/her conduct as a patient and the patient is made aware of his/her responsibilities relative to these rules and regulations.
The patient or substitute decision-maker has the right to request access to their personal health information and to request corrections be made to incorrect information that resides within their records. Requests for access and/or corrections will be subject to approval