Bridgton Hospital Patient Rights and Responsibilities

We consider you a partner in your hospital care. When you are well-informed, participate in treatment decisions, and communicate openly with your doctor and other health professionals, you help make your care as effective as possible.

As a patient of Bridgton Hospital (BH), you have the following rights:

1. You have the right to reasonable access to care, regardless of sex, race, religion, national origin, financial status, diagnosis/condition.
   
   
2. You have the right to care that is considerate and respectful of your values and beliefs.
   
   
3. You have the right to be well-informed about your illness, possible treatments, and likely outcome and to discuss this information with your doctor. This includes the right to interpreter services.
   
   
4. You have the right to be informed about the outcome of care, including unanticipated outcomes.
   
   
5. You have the right to have your pain respectfully managed and supported.
   
   
6. You have the right to consent to or refuse a treatment, as permitted by law, throughout your hospital stay.
   
   
7. You have the right to participate in ethical questions that may arise in the course of your care.
   
   
8. You have the right to ask for a second opinion.
   
   
9. You have the right to have an Advance Directive, such as a Living Will or Health Care Power of Attorney. Living Wills let us know how to care for you if you are unable to speak for yourself. A Health Care Power of Attorney allows you to name someone to make decisions for you.
   
   
10. You have the right to security and personal privacy. The hospital, your doctor, and others caring for you will protect your privacy as much as possible.
    
    
11. You have the right to expect that your medical records will be kept confidential unless you have given permission to release information or reporting is required/permitted by law.
    
    
12. You have the right to review your medical records, to have it explained to you, and to ask questions.
    
    
13. You have the right to ask about hospital charges, billing practices, and payment plans.
    
    
14. You have the right to be told about relationships between BH and other organizations.
    
    
15. You have the right to consent or decline to take part in research affecting your care.
    
    
16. You have the right to have help in planning your post hospital care and to be told about available options.
    
    
17. You have the right to receive instructions and education from caregivers and to have the instructions explained to you.
    
    
18. You have the right to be told about hospital policies and practices regarding patient care and treatment.
    
    
19. You have the right to access protective services when there is evidence or suspicion of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
    
    
20. You have the right to air grievances, conflicts, or complaints to appropriate manager and/or President/Chief Executive and to expect a response to that complaint, in a timely manner.
    
    

As a patient of Bridgton Hospital (BH), you have the following responsibilities:

1. Provide accurate and complete information concerning your present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications and other matters relating to. your health.
   
   
2. Report perceived risks in your care and unexpected changes in your condition to your physician(s) and other healthcare providers.
   
   
3. Report any perceived or identified safety issues related to your care or the physical environment to your physician(s) or other health providers.
   
   
4. Ask questions when you do not understand what you have been told about your care, or what you are expected to do regarding your care.
   
   
5. Follow your treatment plan established by your physician, including the instructions of nurses and other health professionals as they carry out your physician's orders.
   
   
6. Participate in decisions regarding your medical care, including the planning and implementation of your plan of care.
   
   
7. Accept responsibility for your actions should you refuse treatment or not follow your physician's orders.
   
   
8. Assure that the financial obligations of your hospital care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.
   
   
9. Follow hospital policies and procedures.
   
   
10. Be considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel.
    
    
11. Be respectful of your personal property and that of other persons in the hospital.
    
    

Your rights are important to us at Bridgton Hospital.