Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
The Marcus Autism Center is dedicated to helping children and adolescents with developmental disabilities achieve their potential in family, community and school life. We care about the dignity and welfare of all who receive services from us.
Although these rights are written for the patient, in most cases they also apply to the patient's parents or legal guardians. The center expects staff, patients, families and visitors to act in a reasonable and responsible way at all times.
If you have a concern about any of these rights or responsibilities, you may discuss it with the staff involved, their supervisor or your physician or social worker. If you are still concerned, you may also speak with the executive director's office at 404-785-9400.
Your Rights:
- You have the right to considerate, respectful care at all times and under all circumstances, with recognition of personal dignity.
- You have the right, within the law, to personal and informational privacy.
- You have the right to expect reasonable safety insofar as the center's practices and environment are concerned.
- You have the right to obtain, from the practitioner responsible for coordinating your care, complete and current information concerning diagnosis (to the degree known), treatment and prognosis.
- You have the right to verbal and written communication. If you cannot speak or understand the predominant language of the community, you should have access to an interpreter. This is particularly true where language barriers are a continuing problem.
- You have the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law. When the refusal of treatment by a patient, or their legally authorized representative, prevents the provision of appropriate care in accordance with professional standards, the relationship with that patient may be terminated upon reasonable notice.
- You have the right to reasonable, informed participation in decisions involving your care.
- You have the right, regardless of source of payment, to request and receive an itemized and detailed explanation of the total bill for services rendered at the Marcus Autism Center.
- You have the right to expect that Marcus Autism Center staff are competent to obtain and interpret information in terms of your needs; to be knowledgeable of growth and development characteristics, and to have an understanding of the range of treatment needed by the patient as age appropriate.
- The family and/or guardian of patients have the right to be involved in the patient's continuing care and be provided with the necessary support, through Marcus Autism Center resources, in coping with illness/disability.
- You have the right to assistance for conflicts regarding services rendered. If applicable, the assigned Marcus Autism Center provider should always be made aware of any conflict. If resolution of conflict cannot be achieved with the patient/family through the physician, nursing staff or other professionals the patient/family has the right to request a meeting with the President who has the ultimate authority in resolving conflicts.
You have the responsibility to:
- Provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications and other matters relating to your health.
- Follow treatment plans recommended by Marcus Autism Center practitioners.
- Be responsible for your actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow the practitioner's instructions.
- Assure that the financial obligations of your health care/service are fulfilled as promptly as possible.
- Ask your doctor or nurse what to expect regarding pain and pain management, and work with them to develop a pain management plan. Tell your doctor or nurse about any worries you have about taking pain medication.
- Be considerate of the rights of other patients and the Marcus Autism Center staff for assisting in the control of noise and number of visitors.
- Be respectful of the property of other persons and the Marcus Autism Center.