We have an obligation to protect your rights and to provide these rights to you and your representative verbally and in writing in a language and manner you can understand, during the initial assessment visit before care is provided and on an ongoing basis, as needed.  We believe that when you are well-informed, participate in treatment decisions, and communicate openly with your doctors and other health professionals, you make our care as effective as possible. Dignity & Hope Hospice and Palliative Care encourages respect for the personal preferences, cultural differences and values of each individual. 

 

Each patient has the right to:

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• Be treated with respect.

• Receive quality end-of-life care.

• Receive spoken and written notice of their rights and responsibilities in a manner they understand during the assessment meeting with hospice staff.

• Receive information on advance directives including a living will and healthcare surrogate.

• Voice concerns and not be discriminated against for doing so.

• Receive pain management and symptom control.

• Be involved in developing his or her hospice plan of care.

• Refuse care or treatment.

• Choose their attending physician.

• Have a confidential medical record.

• Be free from mistreatment, neglect, or verbal, mental, sexual, and physical abuse.

• Receive information about the services covered under the Hospice benefit.

• Receive information about the services that the hospice will provide and any limitations on those services.

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Each patient has the responsibility to:

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• Provide complete and accurate information to the best of your knowledge about your present complaints and past illness(es), hospitalizations, medications, allergies and other matters relating to your health.

• Remain under a doctor's care while receiving hospice services.

• Notify us of perceived risks or unexpected changes in your condition, ie. hospitalization, changes in the plan of care, symptoms to be reported, pain, homebound status or change of physician.

• Follow the plan of care and instructions and accept responsibility for the outcomes if you do not follow the care, treatment or service plan.

• Ask questions when you do not understand about your care, treatment and service or other instruction about what you are expected to do.  If you have concerns about your care or cannot comply with the plan let us know.

• Report and discuss pain, pain relief options and your questions, worries and concerns about pain medication wit staff or appropriate medical personnel.  

• Tell us if your visit schedule needs to be changed due to medical appointment, family emergencies, etc.

• Tell us if your Medicare or other insurance coverage changes or if you decide to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan.

• Promptly meet your financial obligations and responsibilities agreed upon with the agency.

• Follow the organization's rules and regulations.

• Tell us if you have an advance directive or if you change your advance directive.

• Tell us of any problems or dissatisfaction wit the services provided.

• Provide a safe and cooperative environment for care to be provided such as keeping pets confined, putting away weapons or not smoking during your care.

• Show respect and consideration for Dignity & Hope staff and equipment.

• Carry out mutually agreed responsibilities.

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