Patient Rights

It is important that you understand your rights as a patient at Lallie Kemp Medical Center so that you can actively participate in your care.   Studies show that patients who actively participate in their healthcare have better health outcomes!  While you are in the hospital, your rights include the following:

YOU have the right to:

• Notification of family, representative, or own physician of your hospital admission if desired.
• Considerate, dignified, respectful, and safe quality care regardless of diagnosis, race, religion, language, socioeconomic status, culture, ethnicity, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or source of payment. 
• Expect respect for your cultural and personal values, beliefs and preferences including the right to be free of interference, coercion, discrimination, and reprisal in exercising your rights.
• Receive or have access to pastoral and/or spiritual counseling of your choice.
• Obtain information and effective communication about your diagnosis, medical condition, health status, treatment, and prognosis and be informed about the outcomes of care including unanticipated outcomes.
• Participate in the decision making process related to care, treatment, and services provided.
• Know the names and professional status of everyone involved in your care. Including the practitioner who will be primarily responsible for your care.
• Be notified of other health care and/or educational institutions who may be involved in your care (e.g., residents and healthcare students).  You have the right to know the identity and function of such individuals and may refuse to allow their participation in your treatment.
• Request and receive an itemized bill and explanation of all charges regardless of your pay source. You may receive upon request, information related to financial assistance available through the hospital. 
• Refuse a recommended plan of care to the extent allowed by law and be informed of possible medical consequences.
• Receive information about an Advance Directive such as a Living Will or Durable Power of attorney; and when you inform us of your Advance Directive, you have the right to expect us to comply with your wishes.
• Expect verbal and visual privacy during interviews, examinations, and treatment in a secure environment that preserves dignity and contributes to a positive self-image.
• Be free from abuse, harassment, neglect, corporal punishment, involuntary seclusion and exploitation and to receive care in a safe-secure environment.
• Access to protective and advocacy services and expect we will provide resources to assist you.
• Request to review, receive copies, amend and have your medical records explained to you, as well as obtain disclosures of your medical records made by the hospital in accordance with law and regulation.
• Expect that all communication and records related to your care will be confidential.
• Expect that within our capacity, we will make a reasonable response to your request for appropriate and medically indicated care and services.  An evaluation, service, or referral will be provided based on the urgency of your case.
• Expect we will treat you if possible and if not, with informed consent; you will be transferred to the appropriate facility.
• Be informed of care options when hospital care is no longer appropriate. The hospitalist may assist you in making these arrangements.
• Consent or decline to take part in research studies or human experimentation. 
• Information related to hospital rules and regulations that apply to your conduct as a patient.
• Receive information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment including significant risks, expected benefits and significant alternatives.
• Consent for recording or filming made for purposes other than the identification, diagnosis, or treatment.
• Be informed of resources for resolving disputes or grievances.  You may file a complaint with the Patient Advocate or designee or you may contact the state regulatory agencies and licensure boards.  Separate regulatory boards are identified for Medicare patients.  See Patient Advocate for more information.
• Freedom from restraints and seclusion as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation.
• Receive and expect appropriate pain management in a timely manner by health care professionals.
• Access visitors, mail and telephone services.  You determine who can and cannot visit you. You have the right to designate a support person to stay with you during your stay if it is not contraindicated.  When hospital restrictions are necessary for visitation, they will be explained to you. 
• Receive information in an effective manner that you understand, including having access to interpreters and translators as necessary.

  IN ADDITION, IF YOU ARE A SWING BED PATIENT, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO:

• Chose a physician from physicians who have privileges at the hospital, if you do not want the physician assigned to you, and if the physician of your choice is agreeable.
• Retain and use personal possessions.
• Have environmental adaptations within the ability of the hospital to assist you if doing so would assist with any confusion you might have.
• Share a room with your spouse or significant other if both of you are hospitalized at the same time.
• Access to stationary, writing instruments and stamps at your own expense and privacy with your mail and telephone conversations.
• Receive information about Medicare and Medicaid benefits as they relate to your stay.
• Access to outside appointments if needed.

YOU are responsible for:

• Providing information on your present/past illnesses, medication, hospitalizations, or other related health information.
• Reporting unexpected changes in your condition.
• Ensuring that we have a copy of your written advance directive if you have one.
• Following the treatment plan developed with your practitioner and to recognize the impact your lifestyle has on health.
• Telling doctors and caregivers if you expect problems in complying with your medical treatment plan.
• Asking questions when you do not understand treatment instructions or plan of care.
• The outcomes if you refuse treatment or fail to follow your practitioner’s treatment plan and instructions.
• Giving correct and complete information for insurance claims and making payment arrangements.
• Being considerate of the rights of other patients and personnel and for assisting in the control of noise and number of visitors.  This includes being respectful of the property of other patients, staff, and the hospital.
• Following hospital rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.
• Contacting a staff member immediately if any of your medical equipment alarms.
• You are responsible for loss or damage to valuables kept in your room.  It is strongly advised that you give extra money, medications, credit cards, wallets, jewelry, etc. to a family member to take home or you may request the nurse to inventory your items and lock them in a safe.

 

To File a Complaint/Grievance:

If you encounter a problem during your stay at Lallie Kemp Medical Center, please bring it to the attention of a hospital staff member so that your issue can be addressed promptly and to your satisfaction.  If you are not satisfied with the response, then please file a complaint.

 

If you would like to file a complaint, Lallie Kemp encourages you to contact the Patient Advocate.  The Patient Advocate can be reached by calling 985-878-1259 Monday – Friday, 8:30- 5:00.  After hours, you may contact the Patient Advocate by calling 985-878-9421, pressing “0”, and asking for the House Supervisor. There is a Patient Advocate available to you at all times.   The Patient Advocate will work hard to resolve your complaint.  You may also send a letter addressed to:

Patient Advocate

Lallie Kemp Medical Center

52579 Hwy 51 South

Independence, LA  70443

 

Should you wish to file a complaint with the Louisiana Department of Health, you may do so by using the following contact information:

In writing:    Health Standards Section, Louisiana Department of Health, Hospital Complaints

                   P.O. Box 3767

                   Baton Rouge, LA  70821-3767

By phone:   24-hour complaint line:  1-866-280-7737             Fax:  1-225-342-0157

 

Should you wish to file a complaint with The Joint Commission Office of Quality and Patient Safety, you may do so by using the following contact information:

By phone:  1-800-994-6610

By email:  patientsafetyreport@jointcommission.org