• Patient Confidentiality
• Patient's Rights to Self-Determination
• Patient Responsibilities
• Organ Donation
• Pain Management
• NYS Patient's Bill of Rights

The Patient Relations Department at St. Anthony Community Hospital is a bridge between the patient, the patient's family, hospital staff and administration. The Patient Relations Department's primary assignment is to help you exercise your patient rights. We can act as your advocate and provide a specific channel through which you can seek solutions to problems, concerns and unmet needs.

• Acting as an informational resource for the patient, families, the hospital staff, and general public on several important health care issues, including advanced directives, health care proxies, DNR'S (do not resusitate orders), ethical issues, end of life issues, patient's rights, organ donation and special accommodations for disabled and handicapped individuals,
• Overseeing a volunteer call-back process,
• Reporting on the results of the Parkside and Normet surveys of patient satisfaction and hospital excellence measures,
• Responding to any concerns expressed by patients or family members. After a comment or concern is received, the Patient Relations staff will address the question with a verbal, phone, or written response as appropriate.
• Chairing of the Ethics Committee for St. Anthony Community Hospital and serving as a member of the Bon Secours Charity Health System Ethics Committee.

Patient Confidentiality

All persons employed by or associated with St. Anthony Community Hospital have the responsibility to respect the confidentiality of patient information at all times. Information is given only to those individuals involved in the patient's care or to those who have a legal right to it. Discussion of a patient's hospitalization or outpatient visit is strictly confidential and is limited to the information necessary to plan, treat and evaluate the care of a patient. Discussion of patient information does not occur in public areas of the hospital or outside the institution. Patients should contact Patient Relations, extension 5107, immediately if they feel that there has been a breach in confidentiality concerning their care at St. Anthony Community Hospital.

Statement Of Patients Rights To Self Determination

It is policy of St. Anthony Community Hospital to Honor the medical treatment decisions made by a patient and/or patient's agent or advocate after consultation with a physician, provided that decision is in accordance with accepted medical practice and current ethical standards. This policy extends to the withholding and withdrawing of all forms of medical treatment, including, for example, respirators, medically provided nutrition/hydration, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and antibiotics. Measures needed to ease pain and provide comfort to the patient will always be provided, even if a decision has been made to withhold or withdraw other forms of medical treatment.

A living will, Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, Health Care Proxy and Do Not Resuscitate orders are documents that are an expression of the wishes of the patient. These documents as well as directives received orally regarding treatment in a clear and convincing manner will be accepted by this institution and will be followed provided there is general agreement among family members and caregivers that the document represents the patient's wishes and the wishes stated are in accordance with generally accepted medical practice and ethical standards.

In keeping with the philosophy and Catholic identity of St. Anthony Community Hospital every effort is made to assist the patient/patient's family to reach the best ethical and moral decisions in patient care. St. Anthony Community Hospital maintains a multidisciplinary Ethics Committee advisory to the chief executive officer. Members of this committee are available to assist the patient/patient's family, staff and/or physician and as appropriate may convene an ethical consultation to further assist in resolving any ethical situation/question. To request assistance please contact either Patient Relations, extension 5107, Pastoral Care extension 5117, or Case Management extension 5171.

Organ Donation - How it affects you as a patient at SACH

As of January 1, 1998, The New York State Department of Health has required all hospitals to notify the New York Organ Donor Network of all patient deaths. After notification, the family will receive a call or be asked by a trained staff person what the deceased wishes were about organ donation. The response will determine how we proceed. Our mission is to meet the requirements of those we serve. If the choice is to give the gift of life, we will support and guide you through the process.

Organ donor cards and New York State Organ and Tissue Donor Registry information is available through Patient Relations, extension 5107.

Patient's Bill of Rights

As a patient in a hospital in New York State, you have the right, consistent with law to:

1. Understand and use these rights. If for any reason you do not understand or you need help, the hospital MUST provide assistance, including an interpreter.
2. Receive treatment without discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or source of payment.
3. Receive considerate and respectful care in a clean and safe environment free of unnecessary restraints.
4. Receive emergency care if you need it.
5. Be informed of the name and position of the doctor who will be in charge of your care in the hospital.
6. Know the names, positions and functions of any hospital staff involved in your care and refuse their treatment, examination or observation.
7. A no smoking room.
8. Receive complete information about your diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
9. Receive all the information that you need to give informed consent for any proposed procedure or treatment. This information shall include the possible risks and benefits of the procedure or treatment.
10. Receive all information you need to give informed consent for an order to not resuscitate. You also have the right to designate an individual to give this consent for you if you are too ill to do so. If you would like additional information, please ask for a copy of the pamphlet "Do Not Resuscitate Orders - A Guide for Patients and Families".
11. Refuse treatment and be told what effect this may have on your health.
12. Refuse to take part in research. If deciding whether or not to participate, you have the right to a full explanation.
13. Privacy while in the hospital and confidentiality of all information and records regarding your care.
14. Participate in all decisions about your treatment and discharge from the hospital. The hospital must provide you with a written discharge plan and a written description of how you can appeal your discharge.
15. Review your medical record without charge. Obtain a copy of your medical record for which the hospital can charge a reasonable fee. You cannot be denied a copy solely because you cannot afford to pay.
16. Receive an itemized bill and explanation of all charges.
17. Complain without fear of reprisals about the care and services you are receiving and to have the hospital respond to you and if you request it, a written response. If you are not satisfied with the hospital's response, you can complain to the New York State Health Department. The hospital must provide you with the Health Department telephone number.
18. Authorize those family members and other adults who will be given priority to visit consistent with your ability to receive visitors.
19. Make known your wishes in regard to anatomical gifts. You may document your wishes in your health care proxy or on a donor card, available from the hospital.

Provision of Information. You have the responsibility to provide accurate and complete information about the present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications and other matters relating to your health. You have the responsibility to report unexpected changes in your condition to the responsible practitioner. You are responsible for making it known whether you can clearly comprehend a contemplated course of action and what is expected of you.

Compliance with Instruction. You are responsible for following the treatment plan recommended by the practitioner primarily responsible for your care. This may include following the instructions of nurses and allied health personnel as they carry out the coordinated plan of care and implement the responsible practitioner's orders, and as they enforce the applicable hospital rules and regulations. You are responsible for keeping appointments and when you are unable to do so for any reason, for notifying the responsible practitioner or the hospital.

Refusal of Treatment. You are responsible for your actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow the practitioner's instructions.

Hospital Charges. You are responsible for assuring that the financial obligations for health care services are fulfilled on a timely basis. You have the primary responsibility for the payment of bills. Insurance payments are accepted by the hospital as a courtesy to patients. However, the patient always remains responsible for payment of services.

Hospital Rules and Regulations. You are responsible for following the hospital rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct. You, family members and friends are also expected to follow the hospital rules regarding visiting hours and the number of visitors permitted in your room at any given time.

Respect and Consideration. You are responsible for being considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel and for assisting in the control of noise and the number of visitors. You are responsible for being respectful of the property of other persons and the hospital.

Parents and/or Guardians of Minors. You are responsible for being informed of the care of the child and participating in the planning of care and post-discharge needs of the child. Parents/guardians have the responsibility to bring to the attention of the patient care team any special needs of the child such as physical, emotional or learning disabilities. Parents or guardians are responsible for compliance with the local school districts requirements for educational support in the event if an inpatient stay of significant duration.

Pain Management

At St. Anthony Community Hospital, all patients have a right to pain relief. The patient's rights to pain management is respected and supported. Pain management services include patient assessment, follow-up, a multi-disciplinary approach and state of the art interventional procedures.

The service of a board certified pain management specialist provides comprehensive pain management for acute, chronic and cancer pain patients are available. For more information about these services, please contact the Pain Management Hotline at (845) 986-2224.

Provision of Information
You have the responsibility to provide accurate and complete information about the present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications and other matters relating to your health. You have the responsibility to report unexpected changes in your condition to the responsible practitioner. You are responsible for making it known whether you can clearly comprehend a contemplated course of action and what is expected of you.

Compliance with Instruction
You are responsible for following the treatment plan recommended by the practitioner primarily responsible for your care. This may include following the instructions of nurses and allied health personnel as they carry out the coordinated plan of care and implement the responsible practitioner's orders, and as they enforce the applicable hospital rules and regulations. You are responsible for keeping appointments and when you are unable to do so for any reason, for notifying the responsible practitioner or the hospital.

Refusal of Treatment
You are responsible for your actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow the practitioner's instructions.

Hospital Charges
You are responsible for assuring that the financial obligations for health care services are fulfilled on a timely basis. You have the primary responsibility for the payment of bills. Insurance payments are accepted by the hospital as a courtesy to patients. However, the patient always remains responsible for payment of services.

Hospital Rules and Regulations
You are responsible for following the hospital rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct. You, family members and friends are also expected to follow the hospital rules regarding visiting hours and the number of visitors permitted in your room at any given time.

Respect and Consideration
You are responsible for being considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel and for assisting in the control of noise and the number of visitors. You are responsible for being respectful of the property of other persons and the hospital.

Parents and/or Guardians of Minors
You are responsible for being informed of the care of the child and participating in the planning of care and post-discharge needs of the child. Parents/guardians have the responsibility to bring to the attention of the patient care team any special needs of the child such as physical, emotional or learning disabilities. Parents or guardians are responsible for compliance with the local school districts requirements for educational support in the event if an inpatient stay of significant duration.

The Patient Relations Department is open for consultations and appointments Monday through Friday- 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Contact Joie Ogrodnick regarding any questions or concerns.