Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Gritman Medical Center campus

At Gritman Medical Center, we care about you as a patient. We believe you have the right to quality, compassionate care. Gritman Medical Center prohibits discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, the presence of any sensory, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

You have a right to…

  • Reasonable access to care.
  • Respect for your personal values, culture, preferences and beliefs.
  • Treatment in a safe and secure setting, free from neglect; exploitation; and verbal, mental, physical and sexual abuse.
  • Be informed about your diagnosis, treatment, alternatives, prognosis, pain management and proposed procedures, including the risks and benefits involved.
  • Consent or refuse care, treatment and services as permitted by law and regulation.
  • Know the names and roles of people treating you.
  • Obtain information in your medical record within a reasonable time and within the limits of the law.
  • Make informed decisions regarding care, planning, pain and treatment. You also have the right to be told of realistic care alternatives when hospital care is no longer appropriate.
  • Be informed about the outcomes of care, treatment and services including unanticipated outcomes.
  • Decide if family members, friends or other individuals will participate in your care, information and emotional support.
  • Choose a decision-maker if you are unable to understand or communicate your wishes, which includes consent or refusal of care, treatment or services as permitted by law or regulation.
  • Access to care, as long as that care is within Gritman Medical Center’s capacity, mission and policies.
  • Know if the hospital has relationships with outside parties that may influence your treatment and care. These may be with educational institutions, other healthcare providers or insurers.
  • Be informed if the hospital can not provide the care you need, and of other choices of care.
  • Receive information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment requiring such consent, except in life-threatening emergencies; and given explanations of benefits, risks and alternatives.
  • Give or withhold informed consent.
  • Grant or refuse consent to participate in research studies and have those studies explained prior to consent.
  • Refuse to participate in research studies, knowing that it will not compromise access to other medical center services.
  • Have an Advance Directive, which allows you to specify your healthcare wishes and name an individual who would make health care decisions for you if you are unable to do so, to the extent permitted by law and hospital policy.
  • Full and equal access to all individuals you or your support person designates.
  • Have explained to you or your support person the reason why the hospital may impose reasonable, clinically necessary restrictions or limitations on visitation.
  • Visitation privileges will not be denied, limited or restricted on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, the presence of any sensory, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Consent or, when appropriate, your support person’s consent to receive designated visitors including but not limited to: spouse, domestic partner, same sex domestic partner, another family member or a friend. You have the right to withdraw this consent at any time and to anyone you choose.
  • Be involved in ethical questions that may arise in the course of your care, have assistance with these questions and your wishes relating to end of life decisions.
    • Receive every consideration of privacy in both the inpatient and outpatient setting.
    • Be asked for your consent for recordings or filmings made for purposes other than identification, diagnosis or treatment.
    • Collaborate with caregivers to discuss your plan of care, and if any, restrictions to visitors, phone calls or mail.
    • You can review our Notice of Privacy Practices here.
  • Expect that treatment records and all communications are confidential, unless you have given permission to release information, or reporting is required or permitted by law.
  • Access, request amendment to, and obtain information in accordance with law and regulation.
  • Share concerns or comments about the services provided and to have those issues reviewed and resolved in a timely manner, when possible. Your complaint will not have a negative impact on your current or future care.
  • Express spiritual beliefs, personal values and cultural practices, as long as these do not harm others or interfere with your treatment.
  • Effective communication tailored to age, language and ability to understand, including the use of TDD, foreign and sign language interpreters.
  • Access to protective and advocacy services. Names, addresses and telephone numbers will be provided upon request.
  • Be free from chemical or physical restraints and seclusion, except as authorized by a physician or in an emergency when necessary to protect you and others from injury.
  • Examine and receive an explanation of your hospital bill regardless of source of payment.
  • Participate in your health care decisions.
  • Provide information about your health, including past illnesses, hospital stays, treatments and use of medicine and or herbs.
  • Provide or have your family or designated representative provide a current copy of your Advance Directive to the hospital, should you have one.
  • Ask questions when you do not understand information or instructions.
  • Tell your doctor if you do not think you will be able to follow through with your treatment.
  • Be considerate of the needs of other patients, staff and the hospital. Following the hospital’s rules and regulations including smoking policies.
  • Provide information for insurance and working with the hospital to arrange payment, when needed.
  • Recognize the effect of lifestyle in your personal health.
  • Contacting us if you have a “Customer Comment,” whether positive or negative. Your concern will be addressed in an effective and timely manner. Your complaint will not have a negative impact on your current or future care.

Gritman Medical Center welcomes comments from all patients, visitors, physicians, other health care providers and employees regarding our services and personnel. Our goal is to provide quality services in a safe, respectful environment. We would like to hear about your experiences, both positive and negative, in order to constantly improve patient care.

If you have a concern or want to report a patient safety event during your hospital stay, please allow us the opportunity to assist you immediately. You may talk with any caregiver or request to speak with the charge nurse, house supervisor or department director. You may call the hospital switchboard operator at 208-882-4511 for assistance in contacting the appropriate person.

If your concern has not been satisfied, please notify administration:

Gritman Medical Center Administration
700 South Main Street
Moscow, ID 83843
208-883-2220

For Medicare patient concerns, you may also contact:
KEPRO
Toll-free: 888-305-6759
Local: 813-280-8256
TTY: 855-843-4776
www.keproqio.com

You may contact either of the following:
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Bureau of Facility Standards
450 W. State Street, 6th Floor
Boise, ID 83702
208-334-6626

The Joint Commission
Office of Quality and Patient Safety
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
1-800-994-6610
Fax: 630-792-5636
www.jointcommission.org

Gritman Medical Center subscribes to voluntary Standards of Excellence as set forth by The Joint Commission. Your comments and constructive concerns will help us in our goal to continually improve the quality of our services. Please be assured that your comments will not affect your care at Gritman Medical Center. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

If you have any further questions, please contact Gritman Medical Center’s Director of Risk & Compliance 208-883-6250.