Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Patient Bill of Rights

The patient has the right to be treated with respect, consideration, and dignity and free from all forms of abuse or harassment.

The patient has the right to obtain from his/her physician current and understandable information concerning his/her diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. When it is not medically advisable to give such information to the patient, the information will be made available to an appropriate person on his/her behalf. The patient has the right to know the name of the physician responsible for coordinating his/her care.

The patient has the right to have an advance directive, such as a living will, health care proxy, or durable power of attorney for health care. Further, the patient has a right to expect that his or her advance directive will be honored to the extent permitted by law and the policies of Northern Baltimore Surgery Center.

The patient has the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law, and to be informed of the possible medical consequences of his/her action. Northern Baltimore Surgery Center will not withhold emergency treatment required to preserve the life of the patient, and/or facilitate his/her transfer to an acute care hospital.

Except in emergencies, when the patient lacks decision-making capacity and the need for treatment is urgent, the patient has the right to receive from his/her physician information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any significant alternatives for care of treatment exist, or when the patient requests information concerning medical alternatives, the patient also has the right to know the name of the person(s) who will implement the procedures and/or treatment.

The patient has the right to every consideration of privacy. Case discussion, consultation, examination, and treatment are confidential and should be conducted discreetly.

The patient has the right to expect all communications and records, pertaining to his/her care, will be treated as confidential unless reporting is permitted or required by law.

The patient has the right to obtain information about business relationships with other health care and educational institutions that may influence his/her treatment and care.

The patient has the right to be advised if the Center proposes to engage in or perform research studies or human experimentation affecting his/her care of treatment. The patient has the right to refuse to participate in such projects.

The patient has the right to expect reasonable continuity of care and to be informed by his/her physician, or a delegate of the physician, of the patient's continuing health care requirements following discharge.

The patient has the right to know the financial implications of the treatment choices, insofar as they are known.

The patient has the right to express (formally or informally) any grievance or suggestoins regarding their care. All grievances or suggestions may be directed to the Clinical Director at 410-825-3131.

The patient has the right to file a complaint with the Office of Healthcare Quality, the agency responsible for the investigation of Ambulatory Surgery Center complaints. Complaints may be registered with the department program manager.

By phone: 800-492-6005 OR 410-402-8000

By writing: The Office of Healthcare Quality

Spring Grove Hospital Center,

Bland Bryant Building

55 Wade Ave.

Catonsville, MD 21228

By web: www.medicare.gov/claims-appeals

*A Complainant may provide his/her name, address, and phone number to the Department or anonymous complaints may be registered. All complaints are confidential

Patient Responsibilities

As a patient at Northern Baltimore Surgery Center, you also have responsibilities that effect your care.

To provide, to the best of your ability, complete and accurate information about your current health, past illnesses, hospitalizations, and use of medication, including over the counter products, dietary, and herbal supplements.
To provide accurate information regarding allergies and sensitivities, including any reactions to these.
To follow the treatment plan and instructions provided by your surgeon.
You are responsible for asking questions when you do not understand information or instructions, or if you do not believe you can follow through with the treatment prescribed by your physician.
To be considerate of the rights and property of other patients, all health care providers, and the Center personnel.
To have a responsible adult available to provide transportation home from our facility and to remain with you for 24 hours, if required by your surgeon.
To accept personal financial responsibility for any charges not covered by your insurance provider.

Northern Baltimore Surgery Center will not withhold emergency care from any patient of the facility, despite the existence of an advance directive or the verbal instructions of the patient. If a patient with an advance directive in place requires transfer from Northern Baltimore Surgery Center to a hospital, a copy of the advance directive, if available, will be sent to the receiving hospital with the patient's essential medical information.