Patient Rights

Every patient, representative, and/or designated Power of Attorney has the following rights:
1.    Every patient has the right to considerate and respectful care regardless of age, race, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, sex, national origin, handicap,source of payment or sponsor and Quality Care governed by high professional standards that are continually maintained and reviewed.
2.    Every patient has the right to a safe environment relative to infection control, fire, mechanical hazardsandsafe equipment which is maintained on a preventative schedule.
3.    Every patient has the right to be free from abuse and/or harassment.
4.    Every patient has the right to give informed consent prior to the start of a procedure.  This means that the physician has explained the risks and benefits of the procedure as well as assuring the patient understands their diagnosis, treatment plan, and prognosis in “lay” terms.
5.    Every patient has the right to expect medical and nursing services from personnelthathave proper credentials according to the ASC’s bylaws.
6.    Every patient has the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of such refusal.
7.    Every patient has the right to personal privacy, including while receiving care at the ASC as wellassecurity of the individual’s protected health information.
8.    Every patient has the right to expect that all communications and records pertaining to his/her care are to be treated as confidential. This includes continuity of care within the center and also the information passed upon discharge or transfer. Those not directly involved in the patient’s care need the permission of the patient to be present.
9.    Every patient has the right to be involved in the treatment plan. The patient’s family/significant other/surrogate may be involved in the treatment plan at the patient’s request. The surgery center upholds these rights. However, if an adverse event occurs, we will initiate resuscitation or other stabilizing measures and, if necessary, a patient will be transferred to another acute care facility. If this occurs, the responsible family member/significant other/surrogate shall be notified prior to the patient’s transfer.
10.    Every patient has the right to expect that within its capacity, an Ambulatory Surgical Center must make a reasonable response to the request of a patient for services.
11.    Every patient has the right to obtain information as to the relationship of the center to other healthcare and educational institutions insofar as his/her care is concerned.
12.    Every patient has the right to be informed of experimental projects and to refuse participation without compromise to the patient’s usual care.
13.    Every patient has the right to know fees for specific services and to examine and receive an explanation of his/her bill regardless of the source of payment.

14.    Every patient has the right to know what Surgical Center Rules and Regulations apply to his/her conduct as a patient.
15.    Every patient has the right to know what provisions the Surgical Center has for after hours and Emergency Care.
16.    Every patient has the right to receive complete and current information from his/her physician concerning diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in terms the patient can understand. A patient who does not speak English shall have access, when possible, to an interpreter. (see language assistive services)
17.    Every patient has the right to request information for the name, address,  website (http://www.dhmh.maryland.gov/ohcq) and phone (see below) of a state agency where they can report a complaint or grievance. If the patient has a grievance, the ASC will not discriminate against them, or take punitive actions against them as a reprisal for some act on the patient’s part.
18.    Every patient has the right to request information regarding contact with the Beneficiary Ombudsman who helps people with Medicare (http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/ombudsman.asp).

 

Patient Responsibilities

Every patient, representative, and/or designated Power of Attorney has the following responsibilities:
1.    Patients are responsible to provide accurate present medical history, present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, surgeries,existence of advance directive, medication, and other pertinent data.
2.    Patients are responsible for making reasonable accommodations to the needs of the center and other patients, medical staff, and center employees.
3.    Patients are responsible for giving necessary information for insurance claims and for working with the Surgical Center to make payments arrangements, when necessary.
4.    Patients are responsible for their actions if they refuse a treatment or procedure, or if they do not follow the instructions given to them by the physician or Surgical Center employees, then The Surgical Center of Greater Annapolis and its credentialed physicians have the right to discharge the patient from their care.
5.    Patients are responsible for keeping their appointment.  If they anticipate a delay or must cancel, they will notify the Surgical Center as soon as possible.
6.    Patients are responsible to treat other patients and staff with respect.

 

To file a General complaint please see the Nurse Manager of the Surgical Center of Greater Annapolis
To file a complaint with the State of Maryland call: Maryland Insurance Administration 410-468-2000 or 1-800-492-6116
To file a complaint with Maryland’s Health Advocacy Unit Call 410-528-1840
To file a national complaint: call the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care at 1-847-853-6060