Patient Rights

Each patient has the right:

• To be informed of these rights, as evidenced by the patient’s written acknowledgment, or by documentation by staff in the medical record, that the patient was offered a written copy of these rights and given a written or verbal explanation of these rights, in terms the patient could understand.
  
• To be informed of services available in the facility, of the names and professional status of the personnel providing and /or responsible for the patient’s care and of the fees and the related charges, including the payment, fee, deposits and refund policy of the facility and any charges for services not covered by sources of third- party payment or not covered by the facility’s basic rate;
  
• To be informed if SJFMC has authorized other health care and educational institutions to
  participate in the patient’s treatment. The patient also shall have the right to know the identity and function of these institutions, and refuse to allow their participation in his/ her treatment;
  
• To receive from his/her physician(s) or clinical practitioner(s), in terms that he/she understands an explanation of his or her complete medical/health condition or diagnosis, recommended treatment, treatment options, including the option of no treatment, risk(s) of treatment, and expected results. If this information would be detrimental to the patient’s health, or if the patient is not capable of understanding the information, the explanation shall be provided to the next of kin or guardian. The release of information to the next of kin or guardian, along with the reasons for not informing the patient directly, shall be documented in the patient’s medical record; n To participate in the planning of his/her care and treatment, and to refuse medication and treatment. Such refusal shall be documented in the patient’s medical record;
  
• To be included in experimental research only when he/she gives informed, written consent to such participation, or when a guardian gives such consent for an incompetent patient in
  accordance with law, rule and regulation. The patient may refuse to participate in experimental research, including the investigation of new drugs and medical devices;
  
• To voice grievances or recommend changes in policies and services to SJFMC personnel, the Board of Trustees and/or outside representatives of the patient’s choice either individually or as a group, and free from restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination or reprisal;
  
• To be free from mental and physical abuse, free from exploitation and free from use of restraints unless they are authorized by a physician for a limited period of time to protect the patient or others from injury. Drugs and other medications shall not be used for discipline of patients or for the convenience of SJFMC personnel;
  
• To confidential treatment of information about the patient. Information in the patient’s medical record shall not be released to anyone outside the facility without the patient’s approval, unless another health care facility to which the person was transferred requires the information, or unless the release of the information is required and permitted by law, a third party payment contract, or a peer review, or unless the information is needed by the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services for statutorily authorized purposes. SJFMC may release data about the patient for studies containing aggregated statistics when the patient’s identity is masked;
  
• To be treated with courtesy , consideration, respect and recognition of the patient’s dignity, individuality, and the right of privacy, including but not limited to auditory and visual privacy. The patient’s privacy shall be respected when SJFMC personnel are discussing the patient;
  
• To not be required to perform work for the facility unless the work is part of the patient’s treatment and is performed voluntarily by the patient. Such work shall be in accordance with local, State and Federal laws and rules;
  
• To exercise civil and religious liberties, including the right to independent personal decisions. No religious beliefs or practices, or attendance at religious services, shall be imposed upon any patient; and
  
• To not be discriminated against because of age, race, religion, sex, color, national origin, disability, ability to pay; or be deprived of any constitutional, civil, and/or legal rights solely because of receiving services from SJFMC.

Each patient has the responsibility to:

• To make and keep appointments for medical services and to notify SJFMC in advance to reschedule any appointments he/she cannot keep.
  
• To keep his/her account current.
  
• To keep his/her physician(s) fully informed of anything that may have a bearing on his/
  her health.