mybonsecours
your rights and responsibilities
Throughout the Bon Secours Richmond Health System, it’s our policy to care for patients regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, sexual orientation or the ability to pay. We believe in acknowledging each patient’s rights, clarifying patient responsibilities and creating a community of care among our professional health care staff. We consider our patients to be partners in their health care.
Patients at a Bon Secours facility have the right to:
- receive care in a safe setting that is appropriate to their needs.
- receive care that is both respectful of their personal beliefs and consistent with the Mission and values of the Bon Secours Health System.
- have their pain assessed and treated in a manner respectful of their individual needs and wishes.
- know the identity and professional status of the individuals directly responsible for their care.
- receive clear and easy-to-understand information about diagnoses, treatment plans, prognoses and participation in investigational studies/clinical trials prior to any procedure or treatment.
- participate in decisions regarding their care, including the right to accept or refuse treatment to the extent permitted by the law and the moral tradition of the Catholic Church.
- be informed of the medical consequences related to their decisions; this includes the right to refuse or withdraw from life-sustaining treatments.
- participate in the resolution of ethical questions that may arise during the course of their care.
- make an advance directive (a living will), designate someone to make choices about their medical care for them, or include/exclude family members who would be able to make medical decisions.
- review their medical records with their physician and have the information explained.
- request a second opinion about their diagnosis or treatment plan.
- change physicians during the course of their illness.
- expect that communications and records concerning their care will be treated in a confidential manner.
- know the hospital rules and regulations that affect their behavior and the behavior of their family and visitors.
- know what resources exist if they have questions or concerns about their care or need prompt resolution of a grievance. They may contact Patient Advocacy for this information, or they may call the Virginia Department for Quality Healthcare Services and Consumer Protection.
- access protective services as provided by law.
- participate in their discharge planning.
- have their bill explained to them regardless of the source of payment.
Patients at a Bon Secours facility have the responsibility to:
- provide their caretakers with complete and accurate information about their illness, including information about past illnesses, hospitalizations and medications.
- make known whether or not they understand the proposed procedures or treatment plans.
- follow the agreed-upon treatment plan.
- be considerate of other patients, the staff, hospital regulations and hospital property.
