Your Rights and Responsibilities

In the event that a patient is referred to the ASC for surgery on the same day, the rights and responsibilities document is provided and explained at the time of scheduling.

These rights and responsibilities are the same for patients that are minors, wards of the state (regardless of age) and patients judged to be legally incompetent. Legal surrogates, legal guardians/custodians, and family members are also accountable to the same Rights and Responsibilities afforded to patients. Consenting for these patients is addressed in Policy 2.532 to assure their rights are not compromised.

Columbia Surgery Center has posted a written notice of patient rights on a main wall likely to be noticed by patients, family members, or representatives waiting for treatment. The notice of rights includes the rights, responsibilities, physician ownership, policy on advanced directives, as well as the name, address and telephone number for the Department of Health Complaint Hotline as well as the web site for the Office of the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman.

PATIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Columbia Surgery Center LLC expects that patients are responsible for cooperating with those providing health care services. The care a patient receives depends partially on the patient himself. Therefore, in addition to these rights, a patient has certain responsibilities as well. These responsibilities should be presented to the patient in the spirit of mutual trust and respect.

• The patient has the responsibility to provide accurate and complete information concerning his present complaints, past medical history, any medications (including over-the-counter products and dietary supplements), any allergies or sensitivities, and other matters relating to his health.
• The patient is responsible for following the treatment plan established by his physicians, including the instructions of nurses and other health care professionals as they carry out the physician’s orders.
• Columbia Surgery Center LLC recognizes patient responsibilities according to policies of Columbia Surgery Center LLC and individual insurance plans, as communicated to patients by the insurance plan in a member services publication.
• The patient is responsible for keeping their appointments and for notifying the facility or physician when he is unable to do so.
• The patient is responsible for making it known whether he clearly comprehends the course of his medical treatment and what is expected of him.
• The patient is responsible for his actions should he refuse treatment or not follow his physician’s orders.
• The patient is responsible for fulfilling the financial obligations of his care as promptly as possible.
• The patient is responsible for following facility policies and procedures.
• The patient is responsible for being considerate of the rights of other patients and facility personnel.
• The patient is responsible for being respectful of his personal property and that of other persons in the facility.
• The patient is responsible to provide a responsible adult to transport him/her home from the ASC and remain with them for 24 hours, if required by the provider.
• The patient is responsible to inform CSS about any living will, medical power of attorney, or other directive that could affect their care.

PATIENT RIGHTS

Columbia Surgery Center LLC(CSS) physicians and staff members are committed to treating patients in a dignified manner that respects their rights.

• Patient rights are posted in the waiting area of Columbia Surgery Center LLC. These rights shall be posted in English. If a patient request, these rights may be explained via an interpreter.
• Columbia Surgery Center LLC recognizes patient rights according to its own policies and the policies of individual insurance plans.
• Columbia Surgery Center LLC recognizes patient rights in accordance with state Health and Safety Codes.
• Patients may express satisfaction or dissatisfaction with Columbia Surgery Center LLC verbally to any staff member or provider or in writing via the Patient Satisfaction Survey.
• All, personnel shall observe these patient’s rights.

This facility and Medical Staff have adopted the following list of Patient Rights. This list shall include but not be limited to the patient’s rights to:

• Exercise these rights without regard to sex or culture, economic, educational or religious background or the source of payment for his care.
• Be treated and cared for with consideration, dignity and respect.  Receive confidentiality, privacy, security, complaint resolution, spiritual care, and communication.  If communication restrictions are necessary for patient care and safety, restrictions will be explained.  Be protected from abuse and neglect.  Have access to protective services.
• Knowledge of the name of the physician who has primary responsibility for coordinating his care and the names and the professional relationships of other physicians who will see him.
• Receive information from his physicians about his illness, his course of treatment and his prospects for recovery in terms that he can understand.
• Receive as much information about any proposed treatment or procedure as he may need in order to give informed consent or to refuse his course of treatment. Except in emergencies, this information shall be provided by the surgeon and shall include a description of the procedure or treatment, the medically significant risks involved in this treatment, alternative courses of treatment or non-treatment and the risks involved, any unanticipated outcomes post-procedure, and to know the name of the person who will carry out the treatment.
• Participate actively in decisions regarding his medical care. To the extent permitted by law, this includes the right to refuse care and treatment and resolving problems with care decisions.  Complain about your care and treatment without fear of retribution or denial of care.  Timely complaint resolution.
• Full consideration of privacy concerning his medical care program. Case discussion, consultation, examination and treatment are confidential and should be conducted discretely. The patient has the right to be advised as to the reason for the presence of any individual. Family input in care decisions in compliance with existing legal directives of the patient or existing court-issued legal orders.
• Confidential treatment of all communications and records pertaining to his care. Written permission shall be obtained before medical records can be made available to anyone not directly related to treatment, payment or operations per HIPPA laws.
• Reasonable response to any request he may make for services.
• Leave the facility even against the advice of his physician.
• Reasonable continuity of care and to know in advance the time and location of appointment as well as the physician providing the care.
• Be advised if his physician proposes to engage in or perform human experimentation affecting his care or treatment. The patient has the right to refuse to participate in such research projects without hindering access to care.
• Be informed by his physician or a delegate of his physician of the continuing health care requirements following the discharge from the facility.
• Examine and receive an explanation of his bill regardless of the source of payment.
• Know which facility rules and policies apply to his conduct while a patient.
• Have all patient rights apply to the person who may have legal responsibility to make decisions, surrogate decision makers, regarding medical care on behalf of the patient. 

ADVANCE DIRECTIVE NOTIFICATION

Advanced health care directives, also known as advance directives or living will, are instructions given by individuals specifying what actions should be taken for their health in the event that they are no longer able to make decisions due to illness or incapacity.  If you already have an advance directive, please bring it with you to the surgery center.  In the event of an emergency / Notice of Limitation; during your time at Columbia Surgery Center, we will always attempt to resuscitate a patient and transfer that patient to the hospital.  In the event of deterioration, your advance directive will go with you and your chart to the hospital, should you be admitted.  A health care directive, commonly referred to as a ‘living will’, is a legal document specifying your wishes regarding the care you receive at the end of life, should you become unable to communicate them.  In Washington State, the directive is used only if you have a terminal condition where life-sustaining treatment would only artificially prolong the process of dying; or if you are in an irreversible coma and there is no reasonable hope of recovery.  Health care directives may also be called a directive to a physician, declaration or medical directive.  They can be accessed via the following website: https://www.wsma.org/media/patients-pdfs/advance-directive-forms.pdf.

Information is available to any patient if requested. These documents are provided by the Washington State Medical Association.

PHYSICIAN ONWERSHIP

Columbia Surgery Center LLC is a joint venture with ownership consisting of the surgeons of Columbia Surgical Specialists, Providence Health System and USPI. The individual owners list is posted in the ASC lobby.

PATIENT COMPLAINT OR GRIEVANCE

To report a complaint or grievance you can contact the facility Administrator by phone at 509-789-5754 or by mail at:

Columbia Surgery Center
217 W. Cataldo Avenue Spokane, Washington 99201

Medicare beneficiaries may receive information regarding their options under Medicare and their rights and protections by visiting the website for the Office of the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman at:

https://www.cms.gov/center/special-topic/ombudsman/medicare-beneficiary-ombudsman-home
https://www.medicare.gov/claims-appeals/how-to-file-a-complaint-grievance
https://www.medicare.gov/basics/your-medicare-rights/get-help-with-your-rights-protections

SUS DRECHOS Y RESPONSABILIDADES

Favor de visitar esta sección para ver la información sobre (a) sus derechos y responsabilidades referente a su cirugía, (b) cómo levantar un agravio, si lo desea, (c) derecho de propiedad de los  médicos de nuestro centro y (d) la política de nuestro centro con respecto a los directivos  anticipados.

Sus derechos y responsabilidades