Your Rights and Responsibilities

As a patient, you have the right to respectful and considerate care. In addition, there are specific rights and responsibilities you have during your visit.

You have the right to:

• be informed of the organization’s rules and regulations as they apply to your conduct.
• expect privacy and dignity in treatment consistent with providing you with good medical and psycho-social care.
• receive considerate, respectful care at all times and under all circumstances.
• expect prompt and reasonable responses to your questions.
• know who is responsible for authorizing and performing your procedures or treatments.
• know the identity and professional status of your caregivers.
• know what patient support services are available, including access to an interpreter if language is a problem.
• have access, request amendment, and obtain information on disclosures of your medical records, according to organizational policy.
• be informed of the nature of your condition, proposed treatment or procedure, risks, benefits and prognosis, and any continuing healthcare requirements after your discharge in terms you can understand.
• be informed of medical alternatives for care or treatment.
• refuse treatment, except as otherwise provided by law, and to be informed of the consequences of your refusal.
• the organization prohibits discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identification or expression.
• know if the medical treatment prescribed for you is for experimental purposes and to give your written consent to participate if you choose.
• participate in the decision-making process related to the plan of your care.
• have access to professionals to assist you with emotional and /or spiritual care.
• exercise your cultural and personal values, beliefs and preferences and spiritual beliefs as long as they do not interfere with the well-being of others, or the planned course of any medical care.
• participate in the discussion of ethical issues that may arise.
• express concerns regarding any of these rights in accordance with the grievance process.
• formulate Advance Directives and appoint a surrogate to make health care decisions on your behalf to the extent permitted by law.
• you have the right to know when something goes wrong with your care.
• you have the right to get an up-to-date list of all of your current medications.
• you have the right to be free from restraints of any form that are not medically necessary. 
• have your pain assessed and managed appropriately.
• have a family member, friend, or other individual be present for emotional support.
• review your bill, have the information explained to you, and get a copy of the bill.

You are responsible for:

• providing accurate and complete information to your health care providers about your present and past medical conditions and all other matters pertaining to your health.
• reporting unexpected changes in your condition to your health care providers.
• informing your health care providers whether or not you understand the plan of care and what is expected of you.
• following the treatment plan recommended by your health care providers.
• keeping appointments and, if you cannot, notifying the proper person.
• knowing the consequences of your own actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow the health care providers’ instructions.
• being considerate of the rights of others and to follow organizational policy and regulations regarding care and conduct.
• meeting financial commitments.

Patient safety and quality of care complaints:

You have a right to voice concerns, complaints, and grievances regarding patient safety, quality of care received, or premature discharge. When you first have concerns, please talk with your doctor, nurse or the Patient Advocate in our Service Excellence Department. We welcome your feedback and have a process for prompt resolution of patient concerns.

Voicing a concern, complaint, or grievance will result in a timely review, response and, when possible, resolution. Voicing concerns will not affect future care received at Beaufort Memorial.

Please submit a Service Concern/Complaint form or contact our Patient/Family Advocate in the Service Excellence Department, at 843-522-5172 or write to:

Beaufort Memorial Hospital

Attn: Service Excellence Department, Patient Advocate

955 Ribaut Rd, Beaufort, SC 29902

BeaufortMemorialComplaints@bmhsc.org

You can contact the State agency directly. You can call S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control at 800-922-6735 or write to them at:

S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control 

2600 Bull Street

Columbia, SC 29201

You can call The Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence at 800-922-3089 or write them at:

The Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence

246 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 200

Columbia, SC 29210

All members of the general public and any individual have the right to contact The Joint Commission directly if they have a patient safety or quality of care concern that the hospital has not addressed. You can call The Joint Commission at 800-994-6610, fax the Office of Quality Monitoring at 630-792-5636 or write to them at:

Office of Quality Monitoring

The Joint Commission

One Renaissance Blvd.

Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Complaint@jointcommission.org