Rights and Responsibilities of Patients
Kent Hospital observes the following standards, recognizing established legal principles, with respect to each patient who is admitted to this hospital. A copy of this information is provided to each patient on admission, and in compliance with the laws of the State of Rhode Island, our Patient Rights and Responsibilities are prominently displayed in public areas of the hospital.

1. The patient shall be afforded considerate care that respects his/her personal, psychological, spiritual and cultural values and beliefs.
   
   
2. Upon request, the patient shall be furnished with the name of the physician responsible for coordinating his/her care.
   
   
3. Upon request, the patient shall be furnished with the name of the physician or other person responsible for conducting any specific test or other medical procedure performed by the hospital in connection with the patient’s treatment.
   
   
4. The patient shall have the right to appropriate assessment and management of pain.
   
   
5. The patient shall have the right to informed participation in decisions regarding his/her care including the right to refuse any treatment by the hospital to the extent permitted by law.
   
   
6. The patient’s right to privacy shall be respected to the extent consistent with providing adequate medical care to the patient and with the efficient administration of the hospital. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude discrete discussion of a patient’s case or examination of a patient by appropriate medical personnel.
   
   
7. The patient’s right to personal privacy and confidentiality shall extend to all records pertaining to the patient’s treatment except as otherwise provided by law.
   
   
8. The hospital shall respond in a reasonable manner to the request of a patient’s physician for medical services to the patient. The hospital shall also respond in a reasonable manner to the patient’s request for other services customarily rendered by the hospital to the extent such services do not require the approval of the patient’s physician or are not consistent with the patient’s treatment.The patient generally shall expect unrestricted access to communication. Sometimes, however, it may be necessary to restrict visitors, mail, telephone calls, or other forms of communication as a component of a patient’s care (for example, to prevent injury or deterioration to the patient, damage to the environment, or infringement on the rights of others). The patient is included in any such decisions. Communication restrictions are explained in a language the patient understands. Upon request, the hospital shall provide pastoral care and other spiritual services to the patient.
   
   
9. Before transferring a patient to another accepting facility, the hospital must first inform the patient of the need for, and alternatives to, such a transfer.
   
   
10. Upon request, the patient shall be furnished with the identities of all other health care and educational institutions that the hospital has authorized to participate in his/her treatment and the nature of the relationship between such institutions and the hospital.
    
    
11. If the hospital proposes to use the patient in any human experimentation project, it shall first thoroughly inform the patient of such proposal and offer the patient the right to refuse to participate in such project.
    
    
12. Upon request, the patient shall be allowed to examine and shall be given an explanation of the bill rendered by the hospital irrespective of the source of payment of such bill.
    
    
13. Upon request, the patient shall be permitted to examine any pertinent hospital rules and regulations that specifically govern the patient’s treatment.
    
    
14. The patient shall be offered impartial access to treatment without discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, national origin or source of payment.
15. Patients shall be provided with a summarized medical bill within thirty (30) days of discharge from the hospital. Upon request, the patient shall be furnished with an itemized copy of his/her bill.
    
    
16. Upon request, the patient shall be allowed the use of a personal television set provided that the television complies with Underwriters’ Laboratory standards and O.S.H.A. standards and so long as the television set is classified as a portable television.
    
    
17. No charge shall be made for furnishing a health record or part thereof to a patient, his or her attorney or authorized representative if the record or part thereof is necessary for the purpose of supporting an appeal under any provision of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.] and the request is accompanied by documentation of the appeal. A provider shall furnish a health record request pursuant to this section within thirty (30) days of the request.
    
    
18. The patient may formulate advance directives and appoint a person to make health care decisions.
    
    
19. The patient may participate in the consideration of ethical issues including resolution of conflict, withholding of resuscitative services, forgoing or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment and participation in investigational studies and/or clinical trials. Your nurse and the unit manager can provide further information including how to contact Kent’s Bioethics committee for consultation if necessary.

1. Provide accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications and other matters relating to your health.
   
   
2. Cooperate with all hospital personnel who care for you, following their instructions and asking questions when you do not understand directions.
   
   
3. Report unexpected changes in your condition to your physician.
   
   
4. Ask your doctor or nurse what to expect regarding pain and pain management. Discuss pain relief options with your doctor or nurse. Ask for pain relief when pain first begins. Help the doctor and nurse measure your pain. Tell the doctor or nurse if your pain is not relieved.
   
   
5. Be considerate of other patients and hospital personnel and see that your visitors are considerate.
   
   
6. Observe rules about noise, no smoking and number of visitors.
   
   
7. Be respectful of others, their property and the hospital’s property.
   
   
8. Payment of bills or responding to questions about the bills, providing information for insurance processing and assuring that the financial obligations are promptly fulfilled to the extent of your ability.
   
   
9. Be responsible for your own actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow the instructions of those providing care.
   
   
10. Share your concerns, complaints and suggestions so we may continually improve our care and service. Contact your nurse or unit manager who can provide you with further information including how to contact Kent’s Bioethics Committee for consultation if necessary.
    
    
11. Leave your valuable personal items at home or send them home with family if possible.
    
    
12. Comply with your physician’s recommendations regarding your follow-up care, including keeping appointments.