Forms, Policies & Guides

Patient Bill of Rights

A Partnership

Lawrence Memorial Hospital believes patients want to understand and actively participate in their health care. We respect and value your role in making decisions about your health care, and we are committed to protecting your rights as a patient.

What you can expect from us

Lawrence Memorial Hospital is committed to respecting and protecting the rights of our patients. Honoring these rights is an important part of caring for you. The patient has the following rights regarding information about their care:

To have information tailored to a patient’s age, language, and ability to understand
To receive language interpreting and translation services, if desired
To receive information in a manner that meets the patient’s needs if they have vision, speech, hearing, or cognitive impairments
To know the name, identity and professional status of all people providing services, including the doctor who is primarily responsible for their care
To receive complete and current information about diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in terms that the patient can understand
To have access to all information contained in the medical record
To have an explanation of any proposed procedure, drug or treatment in terms that the patient can understand
To accept or refuse any procedure, drug or treatment and to be informed of the consequences of any such refusal
To designate a support person to make decisions about visitors for them if they are unable to make or communicate those decisions. The patient may designate a support person different from their legal representative or surrogate decision-maker for health care decisions.
To know about the option of organ, tissue or eye donations, if applicable to their situation
To know if their care involves research or experimental treatment. The patient has the right to consent to this or refuse to participate.
To be informed about unanticipated outcomes of care, treatment, and services
To voice a complaint about an unresolved or safety issue concerning their care, without fear of retribution or changes in care. The patient can expect the hospital to respond, as well as provide a reasonable resolution when possible.
To file a grievance with the state agency, regardless of whether they first use the hospital complaints/grievance process
To expect reasonable continuity of care and to be informed by caregivers of realistic patient care options when hospital care is no longer appropriate
To examine their bill and receive an explanation of the charges, regardless of the source of payment for their care
To access, request amendment to, and obtain information on disclosure of their health information in accordance with laws and regulations
To ask about the hospital’s ownership interests in organizations to which they are referred
To be informed of any hospital policies, procedures, rules or regulations that apply to their care

The patient has the following rights regarding participation in their care:

To participate in the development and implementation of their plan of care
To participate in the discharge planning process
To formulate advance directives for treatment and expect that these will be honored
To appoint a surrogate decision-maker to make health care decisions for them in the event that they lose the capacity to make these decisions, or choose to have that surrogate make decisions on their behalf
To have their family involved in their care, treatment, and services to the extent permitted by them or their surrogate decision-maker
To choose whom may visit while at the hospital, to change their mind about whom may visit, and to be provided an explanation of the circumstances under which we may restrict visitation
To have a family member, friend, or other individual present for emotional support during their stay
To have assistance in obtaining a consultation with another doctor regarding their care. This consultation may result in additional costs to them.
To request a consultation with a member of the hospital’s Ethics Committee concerning ethical issues involved in their care
To refuse care, treatment, and services
To be transferred to another facility at their request or when medically appropriate and legally permissible. The patient has the right to a complete explanation about the need for a transfer and alternatives to such a transfer. The facility they will be transferred to must first accept them as a patient.

The patient has the following rights regarding privacy surrounding their care:

To personal privacy. Discussions about their care, consultations, exams and treatments will be conducted as discreetly as possible and on a need to know basis.
To expect that all communications and records related to their care will be treated confidentially

The patient has the following rights regarding safety, protection and comfort during their care:

To have a family member or representative of their choice and their own doctor notified promptly of their admission to the hospital
To receive safe, quality care
To receive care in a safe setting that is free of abuse (mental, physical, verbal or sexual), neglect, exploitation or harassment
To be free from seclusion and restraints unless clinically necessary
To have access to protective services
To have religious and other spiritual services accommodated
To expect supportive care even if they are dying or have a terminal illness. This includes:
- Appropriate management of pain
- Treatment of uncomfortable symptoms
- Support of psychological and spiritual needs

Note: If patient is unable to exercise the rights listed here, their legal guardian, next of kin or legally authorized surrogate has the right to exercise them on their behalf. In certain circumstances, laws or regulations may authorize limitations upon their ability, or that of a surrogate, to exercise any of the rights listed.

Patient Responsibilities

To foster mutual trust, respect and cooperation in meeting their health care needs, we want patients to understand their responsibilities. The patient has the following responsibilities while at LMH:

To provide correct information. The patient has the responsibility to give their doctor and other hospital staff any information needed to provide them with the best care. They should expect staff to ask questions concerning:
- Current illness(es)
- Past illnesses
- Past hospitalizations
- Any risks to their condition, such as those caused by allergies or medications currently taken
- Patients are expected to tell staff about any matters pertaining to their health or any unexpected changes in condition. They are expected to give a complete description of any symptoms they have.
To ask questions or acknowledge when they do not understand the treatment course or care decision
To follow the treatment plan. Patients should tell us if they have any concerns about their ability to follow the plan of care. They are responsible for asking questions so they understand what might happen if they do not follow the plan of care.
To follow all hospital rules, such as the tobacco-free policy and visitor guidelines for adults and children. We ask visitors to check with the nurse’s station for visitation guidelines for that care area.
To respect other patients, doctors and hospital staff. All patients need and should expect a quiet healing environment. They are expected to ask their visitors to speak softly and avoid making loud noises. Patients are expected to treat doctors and hospital staff with consideration and avoid any instances of verbal or physical abuse.
To select someone they trust to speak for them in the event that they cannot speak for themselves. Patients should inform their doctors and nurses when they select someone as their surrogate decision-maker. We encourage them to prepare a written document that names their decision-maker(s). This document is called a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care or a Health Care Directions Form.
To be fully involved in their discharge plan. The patient and their family members are responsible for participating to the fullest extent possible in planning for their care after leaving the hospital.
To consent to a blood test if any health care worker comes in contact with their blood. A blood test for HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C will not become part of their hospital medical record. The purpose of the test is to relieve the anxiety of the exposed healthcare worker and to begin that worker’s treatment as soon as possible, if necessary.
To provide any information needed to process their bill and promptly meet any financial obligations. They are responsible for providing accurate and current information about their insurance and for paying their bill. The patient and/or family members should ask questions if they do not understand the hospital bill.

Note: If patient is part of a research study, it is important that they contact the researcher when admitted.

If you are unsatisfied with your care

If you have concerns about the care you or your family member received, please speak with the director of the unit, your doctor or the nursing supervisor. If you feel your issue wasn’t resolved contact:

Patient Advocate
785-505-3152
Email: patientadvocate@lmh.org

Director of Quality
785-505-4915
LMH Quality Services
325 Maine Street
Lawrence, KS 66044

Kansas Department of Health and Environment
1000 SW Jackson St., Suite 340
Topeka, KS 66612
800-842-0078

The Joint Commission
Office of Quality Monitoring
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
Submit a concern online
Fax: 630-792-5636

8/13/2022

Road construction may impact your appointments at LMH Health