Confidentiality
| Education | Informed
Consent | Facility Services |
Emergency Care | Grievances
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STATEMENT
OF PATIENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
ESRD Network
#15 presents this statement of patient rights and responsibilities,
an important part of a patient’s care, with the expectation
that observance of them will contribute to more effective care and
greater satisfaction for both patients and facility personnel without
regard to sex, cultural, economic, educational, religious background,
sexual orientation, or to the source of payment for his/her care.
Network #15 serves the states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New
Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. RESPECT,
PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY It is your right to expect all communications and records of your care to be treated as confidential. You may approve or refuse to release your records to any individual outside the facility, except if you transfer to another health care institution, or as required by federal, state, or local laws. Responsibilities: It is your responsibility to treat the staff with the same respect and individual consideration as you expect for yourself. This includes the responsibility to be honest and direct about everything that relates to you as a patient, to respect the personal rights and private property of other patients, and see that your visitors are considerate as well. You have the right to education on the various treatment choices, including hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis (CAPD/CCPD), and transplantation. However, be advised that not everyone is a suitable candidate for every treatment method; but those who are not have the right to be told by their physician why they are not. You have the right to assistance which deals with specific problems or special needs that include (but are not limited to) blindness, hearing loss, language barrier, limited mental capacity, financial restrictions, etc., that may limit your ability to comprehend your condition or carry out your treatment plan. It is your right to have access to qualified social work and dietary counseling. Responsibilities:
It is your responsibility to understand the nature and treatment
of your kidney disease to the best of your ability. An important
part of the success of the treatment plan is your understanding
of your health problems. You should help make and carry out the
prescribed treatment program as much as you can. You are encouraged
to ask questions of staff members to obtain further instruction
if you do not understand or are unable to follow your treatment
plan. Following your treatment plan closely can directly affect
how you feel It is your right to be transferred or discharged only for medical reasons, for your own welfare, for the welfare of other patients, or for willful nonpayment of services provided to you (except as prohibited by the Social Security Act). You must be given reasonable advance notice of any transfer or discharge except in the case of an emergency as determined by the professional staff. It is your right to refuse to allow a staff member undergoing training to provide treatment unless a competent and fully trained staff member is present and directly supervising the trainee. It is your right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law, and to be informed of the medical consequences of your actions. (In other words, most patients can refuse treatments, but they need to know that doing so can bring about great harm and even death in certain circumstances). Documents called
“advance directives” can protect your right to refuse
or limit future medical treatment if you ever become unable to communicate
your wishes. This is done by writing them down ahead of time using
documents such as Living Wills and Medical Durable Powers of Attorney.
Ask your treatment facility staff about information on “advance
directives” if you are interested. If you transfer to a new facility, it is your responsibility to secure the services of a nephrologist to provide your medical management at that facility. It is your responsibility to notify the medical staff if you intend to not follow your prescribed medical treatment plan. It is your responsibility to understand what will happen if you do not follow your treatment plan and to explain your reasons for your refusal to the medical staff. Also, you must sign any forms required by the facility to document your actions. If you have chosen to use “advance directives” (Living Will or Medical Durable Power of Attorney), it is your responsibility to furnish your facility with complete, current documents. It is your right to receive, upon request, information about facilities available to visiting patients and to receive assistance in arranging for dialysis when you plan to travel away from home. It is your right to know all costs of your care, including costs for any consultants, if used, and to have access to individuals who know about Medicare and other potential sources of financial assistance, and to be told about charges for services not covered by Medicare or other insurance. Responsibilities: It is your responsibility to make every effort to keep all scheduled appointments and dialysis treatments and to be on time. If an appointment needs to be canceled or delayed, a call to the unit should be made in advance. You should recognize the possibility of having to reschedule if you are late. It is your
responsibility, when dialyzing away from your usual facility, to
plan your travel far enough in advance that arrangements can be
made. You will need to confirm financial arrangements. Medical information
should be available to the visited facility and medical reports
should be sent back to your “home” facility. When dialyzing
away you have a particular responsibility for being knowledgeable
about care and treatment, to ensure you receive appropriate care.
It is your right to be told exactly what to do and/or whom to call by your physician or other caregiver, in case of medical emergencies such as access bleeding, clotting, or other situations which may happen for which there may be some advance action plan (fire, power outage, low water pressure, natural disasters, etc.) Responsibilities: It is your responsibility to recognize what constitutes an emergency and what actions you, or someone acting on your behalf, need to take to appropriately deal with the emergency situation. Responsibilities: It is your responsibility to know and to follow your facility’s posted rules and regulations. If a problem arises for you we suggest that you try to settle any disagreements informally with the appropriate personnel. If the problem cannot be solved in that way, it is your responsibility to know the proper Grievance Procedure in your treatment center and we then suggest that you use that procedure. If, at that point, the grievance remains unresolved and pertains to a quality of care issue, you are encouraged to use the ESRD Network #15 Grievance Protocol. You may contact the Network by writing ESRD Network #15, 1301 Pennsylvania Street, Suite 750, Denver, CO 80203, or by calling one of the following toll-free numbers: 1-888-777-0105 or 1-800-783-8818. Intermountain
End-Stage Renal Disease Network For Network #15 Patients | For Network #15 Professionals | About Network #15 | Contact Us Supported by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Contract No.HHSM-500-2006-NW015C. The content of this website does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of CMS or the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Network #15 assumes full responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of this website. |