Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

We want to encourage you, as a patient at NorthCrest Medical Center, to communicate openly with your health care team, participate in your treatment choices, and promote your own safety being well informed and actively involved in your care. Because we want you to think of your self as a partner in your care, we want you to know your rights as well as your responsibilities during your stay at our hospital.

Your Rights:

• You have the right to receive considerate, respectful and compassionate care regardless of your age, gender, race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disabilities.
• You have the right to receive care in a safe environment free from all forms of abuse, neglect or harassment.
• You have the right to have a family member or representative of your choice and your own physician notified promptly of your admission to the hospital.
• You have the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to receive information regarding the consequences of refusing treatment. If you leave the hospital against the advice of your physician, the hospital and physicians will not be responsible for any medical consequences that occur.
• You have the right to be informed of your health status, including the information necessary to enable you to make treatment decisions that reflect your wishes, and to participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care.
• You have the right to create advance directives (Living Will and/or Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare) and have hospital staff and practitioners who provide care in the hospital comply with these directives. If you do not have an advance directive, we can provide you with information and help to complete one.
• You have the right to privacy and confidentiality in care discussions, examinations and treatments. You may ask for a chaperone during any type of examination.
• You have the right to effective pain management including the right to have your pain assessed and to be involved in decisions about managing your pain.
• You have the right to be free from restraints and seclusion in any form that is not medically required.
• You have the right to sign language or foreign language interpreter services. We will provide interpretive services as needed.
• You have the right to receive detailed information about your hospital and physician charges.
• You have the right to confidentiality of your medical records as well as the right to access information contained in your medical records.
• You have the right to request spiritual guidance.
• You have the right to participate in the consideration of ethical issues that arise in your care.
• You have the right to be involved in your discharge plan. You can expect to be told in a timely manner of the need for planning your discharge or transfer to another facility or level of care. Before your discharge, you can expect to receive information about follow-up care that you may need.
• You have the right to voice your concerns about the care you receive. If you have a problem or complaint, you may talk with your physician, nursing unit director, or an administrative representative. If your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction your have a right to contact:
  • Tennessee Department of Health
    Division of Health Care Facilities
    Centralized Complaint Intake Unit
    227 French Landing, Suite 501
    Heritage Place Metrocenter
    Nashville, TN 37243
    Telephone: 1-877-287-0010
  • Joint Commission Office of Quality Monitoring
    One Renaissance Boulevard
    Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
    Telephone: 1-900-944-6610
    E-Mail: complaint@jointcommission.org
  • Medicare patients with unresolved concerns may call 1-800-MEDICARe
  • Complaint Hotline - 615/384-1737
    NorthCrest Medical Center
    Attn: Nursing Administration
    100 NorthCrest Drive

    Springfield, TN  37172

Your Responsibilities:

• You are expected to provide complete and accurate information; including your full name, address, home telephone number, date of birth, social security number, insurance carrier, and employer.
• You are expected to provide complete and accurate information about your health and medical history, including present condition, past illnesses, hospital stays, medicines, vitamins, herbal products, and any other matters that pertain to your health, including perceived safety risks.
• You are expected to leave your valuables at home and only bring necessary items for your hospital stay. The hospital will not be responsible for lost or stolen articles or money.
• You are responsible for reporting unexpected changes in your condition to your doctor or nurse.
• You are expected to provide the hospital with a copy of your advance directive if you have one.
• You are expected to ask questions when you do not understand information or instructions. If you believe you can’t follow through with your treatment plan, you are responsible for telling your doctor. You are responsible for outcomes if you do not follow care, treatment and services plan.
• You are expected to treat all hospital staff, other patients and visitors with courtesy.
• You are expected to show consideration for others by following all hospital rules and regulations, especially pertaining to visitors and general conduct. .
• You are expected to abide by the hospital tobacco free policy and abstain from any tobacco use while on the hospital campus.
• You are expected to pay your bill or make arrangements for paying your bill within 30 days
• You are expected to keep appointments and to notify appropriate staff if unable to do so.

Your Role in Promoting Safe Health Care:

Patients are encouraged to become an active, involved, and informed member of their health care team. Listed below are ways that the patients may be encouraged to promote their own safety: