Patients & Visitors
>>Visiting Hours
>>Patient Safety & Security
>>Patient Rights & Responsibilities
>>Patient Financial Services
>>Health Plan Participation
>>Telephone Directory
>>Health Information Management
(Medical Records)
>>Advance Directives
>>Map & Directions
>>Special Services
>>Notice of Privacy Practices

Tyrone 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 professional, you help make your care as effective as possible. At Tyrone Hospital, we encourage respect for
the personal preferences and values of each individual.

1. You have the right to respectful care given by competent personnel and also, reasonable access to care in a
timely manner.

2. You have the right to considerate and respectful care with consideration of your psychosocial, spiritual, and
cultural values that may influence our perceptions of illness and care. You have the right to good quality care and high
professional standards that are continually maintained and reviewed.

3. You have the right to participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care.

4. You have the right to be well informed about your illness in layman’s terms, possible treatments and likely outcome
and to discuss this information with your doctor so that you may make an informed decision.  You have the right to
know the names and roles of people treating you.

5. You have the right to consent or refuse medical care or treatment, as permitted by law, and to be informed of the
medical consequences of such refusal.  If you refuse a recommended treatment, you will receive other needed and
available care. You have the right, except for emergencies, for the physician to obtain necessary informed consent
prior to the start of any procedure or treatment or both.

6. You have the right to a Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney and to have hospital staff and practitioners who
provide care in the hospital comply with these directives.  These documents express your choices about your future
care and name someone to make decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself.  If you have written advance
directives you should provide a copy to the hospital, your family, and your doctor, prior to admission.

7. You have the right to receive care in a safe setting and be free from all forms of abuse and harassment.

8. You have the right to be free from physical and mental abuse, and corporal punishment.  You also have the right
to be free from restraint, of any form, imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff.
Restraint may only be imposed to ensure the immediate physical safety of the patient, a staff member, or others, and
must be discontinued at the earliest possible time.

9. You have the right to personal privacy and confidentiality of information, within limits of the law.  The hospital, your
doctor, and others caring for you will protect your privacy as much as possible.

10. You have the right to expect that treatment records will be kept confidential unless you give permission to release
information or law requires information reporting. When the hospital releases records to others, such as insurers, it
emphasizes that the records are confidential.

11. You and your legally designated representative have the right to access information contained in your medical
records within a reasonable time frame and the hospital must meet your request as quickly as its record-keeping
system permits to have the information explained, except when restricted by law.

12. You have the right to expect that the hospital will give you necessary health services to the best of its ability.
Treatment, referral or transfer may be recommended.  If transfer is recommended or requested, you will be informed
of risks, benefits, and alternatives.  You will not be transferred until another institution agrees to accept you.

13. You have the right to know if this hospital has relationships with outside parties that may influence your treatment
and care.  These relationships may be with educational institutions, other health care providers or insurers.

14. You have the right to be informed of any experimentation or other research or educational projects affecting your
care and to consent or decline to take part in research affecting your care.  If you choose not to take part, you will
receive the most effective care the hospital otherwise provides.

15. You have the right to be told of realistic care alternatives when hospital care is no longer appropriate.

16. You have the right to discuss any concerns that you have regarding the quality of care that you are receiving or
premature discharge.  You may discuss these issues with your nurse or physician, who can contact hospital
administration or utilization management.  You may also contact hospital administration or utilization management
with any of your concerns.

17. You have the right to know about hospital rules that affect you and your treatment and about changes and payment
methods. You have the right to know in advance if the hospital is furnishing or discontinuing patient care whenever
possible.

18. You or your designated representatives have the right to know about hospital resources, such as the ethics
committee, that can help you resolve problems.  If you have questions or are not satisfied with the quality of your care,
please speak with a nurse, physician or hospital administrator.

19. 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.

20. You have the right to have access to a translator / interpreter if you do not speak or understand English or are
hearing impaired. A reasonable attempt will be made to locate a translator / interpreter. An adult of your choice who
is able to translate / interpret may do so if you wish.

21. You have the right to assistance in obtaining consultation with another physician at your request and expense.

22. You have the right to medical and nursing services without discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex,
sexual preference, national origin or source of payment.

23. You have the right to expect good management techniques to be implemented within the hospital considering
effective use of your time and with avoidance of discomfort to you.

24. You have the right to examine and receive a detailed explanation of your bill. You have the right to full information
and counseling on the availability of known resources for your health care.

25. You have the right to expect the healthcare facility to provide a mechanism whereby you are informed upon
discharge of your continuing healthcare requirements following discharge and the means for meeting them.

26. You have the right not to be denied access to an individual or agency that is authorized to act on your behalf to
assert or protect your rights as describe in this document.

27. You have the right to be informed of these rights at the earliest possible moment in the course of your
hospitalization.

28. You have the right to effective pain management.

Patient Responsibilities

1. You are responsible for providing information about your health, including past illnesses, hospital stays and use
of medicine.
2. You are responsible for asking questions when you do not understand information or instructions.
3. If you believe you can’t follow through with your treatment, you are responsible for telling your doctor.
4. You and your visitors are responsible for being considerate of the needs of other patients, staff and the hospital.
5. You are responsible for providing information about your insurance coverage and for working with the hospital to
arrange payment.
6. You are responsible for recognizing the effect of life-style on your personal health.
 
Quality of care and safety are our highest priorities.  If you identify safety or quality of care concerns, we strongly
encourage you or your family to report them to us immediately.  You may do so by contacting the person taking
care of you, the Department Manager, the Nursing Supervisor, the Director of Performance Improvement or the
Hospital Chief Executive Officer at 684-1255 ext. 1302.  You may also refer complaints to the:  

Pennsylvania Department of Health                     
Office of Quality Monitoring        
           
Acute and Ambulatory Care Services                 
P.O. Box 90                                                    
Harrisburg, PA  17108-0090                              
1-800- 254 – 5164