Patient Rights & Responsibilities | Gritman Medical Center

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Gritman Medical Center campus

At Gritman Medical Center we care about you as our patient. We believe you have the right to quality, compassionate care. We respect, protect and promote your patient rights. 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.
  • Respectful of the patient’s personal values & beliefs.
  • Treatment in a safe and secure setting, free from neglect, exploitation, and verbal, mental, physical and sexual abuse.
  • Have a family member or representative and physician/licensed independent practitioner notified promptly of hospital admission.
  • Physical and emotional safety. Components of an emotionally safe environment are respect, dignity, comfort, which contribute to a positive self-image.
  • A family member, friend, or other individual to be present with the patient for emotional support during the course of a stay unless their presence infringes on others’ rights, safety, or is medically or therapeutically contraindicated.
  • Obtained from his or her physician/licensed independent practitioner, complete and current information concerning his or her diagnosis, treatment, alternatives, prognosis, pain management, and proposed procedures including the risks and benefits involved, in terms they can be reasonably expected to understand.
  • Outcomes of care, treatment, and services in order to participate in current and future health care decisions.
  • Unanticipated outcomes of care, treatment, and services information is provided by the practitioner responsible for managing care, treatment, and services when an adverse event occurs.
  • When it is not medically advisable to give such information to the patient, the information should be made available to an appropriate person on his or her behalf.
  • Obtain access to, request amendment to, and obtain information on disclosures of health information in their medical record within a reasonable time and within the limits of the law and regulation.
  • Consent or refuse care, treatment and services as permitted by law and regulation.
  • Know the names and roles of people treating him or her.
  • Expect reasonable continuity of care.
  • Make informed decisions regarding care, planning, pain, and treatment. Also, 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 before the start of any procedure and/or treatment, except in emergencies.
  • Information about medically significant alternatives for care or treatment when they exist.
  • Decide if family members, friends, or other individuals will participate in their care, receive information, and provide emotional support.
  • Choose a surrogate decision-maker if unable to understand or communicate own wishes.
  • Expect that Gritman Medical Center must make a reasonable response to the patient’s request for services as long as that care is within Gritman Medical Center’s capacity, mission, and policies.
  • Evaluation, service and/or referral as indicated by the urgency of the case.
  • Be informed if the hospital cannot provide the care needed, and of other choices for care.
  • Be transferred to another facility, if medically permissible, only after receiving complete information and explanation concerning the needs and alternatives for transfer.
  • Refuse care, treatment and/or services to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of own actions. The surrogate decision-maker receives written information about the right to refuse care, treatment, and services and respects their decision to do so.
  • Know if the hospital has relationships with outside parties that may influence the treatment and care. These may be with educational institutions, other healthcare providers, or insurers.
  • Receive and use the information provided to decide whether to give or not give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment requiring such consent, except in life-threatening emergencies. Information for informed consent should include, but is not limited to, the specific procedure and/or treatment, benefits, the medically significant risks involved, and the probable duration of incapacitation.
  • Give or withhold informed consent for care, treatment and/or services to the extent permitted by the law and to be informed of the medical consequences of own actions.
    • Be advised if Gritman Medical Center proposes to engage in or perform human experimentation affecting his or her care or treatment.
    • Grant or refuse consent to participate in investigational or 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.
    • Informed Consent: All patients asked to participate in a research project are given:
      • A description of the benefits;
      • A description of the potential discomforts, potential problems and risks;
      • A discussion of possible achievable goals;
      • A description of alternative services that might also prove advantageous to them;
      • A discussion about circumstances in which information about the patient must be disclosed or reported;
      • A full explanation of the procedures to be followed, especially those that are experimental in nature.
      • Information that they may refuse to participate, and their refusal will NOT compromise their access to services.
      • An explanation to the patient that they have the right to withdraw from the project at any time.
    • All patient research projects are reviewed and approved by the Medical Executive Committee.
    • Documentation on the consent form includes:
      • Information listed above;
      • Name of the person who provided the information;
      • Date the form was signed; and
      • Participant’s right to confidentiality and safety is addressed
  • Have an Advanced Directive which allows the patient to specify his/her health care wishes and name an individual who would make healthcare decisions for the patient if they are unable to do so, to the extent permitted by law and hospital policy.
  • Subject to appropriate restrictions as described below, patients are entitled to receive visitors designated by the patient.
  • The patient may, at any time, withdraw his or her consent to visits by designated persons or otherwise deny visitors. If the patient expresses no preference concerning visitors, Gritman Medical Center personnel should exercise reasonable judgment in allowing visitors consistent with Gritman Medical Center policies.
  • Support Persons. Where the patient is incompetent or otherwise incapable of exercising the patient’s visitation rights, the patient’s support person may exercise the patient’s visitation rights. Support person may include the patient’s legal representative, family member, friend or other person who is there to support the patient during the course of the patient’s hospital stay.
  • Visitation 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, or gender identity or expression including a same-sex domestic partner.
  • Restriction on Visitation. Gritman Medical Center may impose reasonable restrictions on a patient’s visitation rights if clinically necessary.
      • Bases for Restrictions. Gritman personnel, the attending healthcare provider, Gritman Administration, Gritman Safety and Security Director or law enforcement reasonable restrictions may be imposed whenever:
        • Doing so is necessary for the safety or effective care of the patient, other patients, or Gritman Medical Center personnel.
        • When the patient is undergoing care interventions
        • To control the threat of infection
        • Where existing court orders restrict contact with the patient or others
        • In response to disruptive, threatening or violent behavior of any kind
        • When the patient or other patients need rest or privacy
    • Restrictions may include but are not limited to:
      • Visiting hours
      • Limiting the number of visitors during a specific period of time
      • Prohibiting visitors whose condition creates a risk to the patient or others
      • Minimum age requirements for child visitors
    • Notice of Restrictions. Gritman Medical Center personnel shall notify the patient (or the patient’s support person) of any visitation restrictions and the reason for the restrictions.
  • Be involved in ethical questions that may arise in the course of care, have assistance with these questions and the patient’s wishes related to the end of life discussions.
  • Have access to the Hospital Ethics Committee.
  • Participation in the consideration of ethical issues that may arise in the provision of his or her care, including:
    • Giving informed consent,
    • Resolving dilemmas about care decisions,
    • Withholding resuscitative services,
    • Forgoing or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment,
    • Care at the end of life.
  • Receive every consideration of privacy in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. Case discussion, consultation, examination and treatment are confidential and should be conducted discreetly. Those not directly involved in his or her care must have the permission of the patient to be present.
  • Be asked for consent for recordings or filming made for purposes other than identification, diagnosis, or treatment.
  • Collaborate with caregivers to discuss the patient’s plan of care, and any restrictions regarding visitors, phone calls, or mail.
  • Expect that treatment records and all communications are confidential, unless he or she has given permission to release information, or reporting is required or permitted by law.
  • Access, request amendment to, and obtain information on disclosures of health information in accordance with law and regulation.
  • Share concerns or complaints about the services provided and to have those issues reviewed and resolved in a timely manner, when possible.
  • Complaint will not have a negative impact on the patient’s current or future care. If the patient has an immediate concern, he/she is encouraged to communicate this to any of the following individuals:
    • The person providing the service.
    • The charge nurse, the house supervisor, or department director.
    • The switchboard operator at “0” for assistance in directing their concerns.
    • If any of these have not satisfied the patient’s concern, the patient can contact Administration in writing (Gritman Medical Center Administration, 700 South Main Street, Moscow, ID 83843) or on the phone ((208) 883-2220).
  • The patient also has the option of contacting:
    • For Medicare/Medicaid patient concerns:
      Acentra Health (1-888-305-6759)
    • Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
      Bureau of Facility Standards
      P.O. Box 83720
      Boise, ID 83720-0036
      (208) 334-6626
    • The Joint Commission
      Fax: Office of Quality Monitoring 630-792-5636
      Mail: Office of Quality and Patient Safety
      The Joint Commission
      One Renaissance Boulevard
      Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181Call: 1-800-994-6610
      Form: Report a Safety Event
  • Express spiritual beliefs, personal values, and cultural preferences, as long as these do not harm others or interfere with the patient’s treatment.
  • Accommodation to religious and other spiritual services, as long as these do not harm others or interfere with the patient’s treatment.
  • Appropriate assessment and management of pain.
  • Effective communication tailored to age, language and ability to understand, including the use of the translator system or foreign and sign language interpreters and the use of larger font size for written materials.
  • Involvement of the patient or their legal representative in decisions to withhold any form of communication, including visitors, mail or telephone calls.
  • Access to protective and advocacy services. Names, addresses, and telephone numbers are provided upon request.
  • Freedom from chemical or physical restraints and seclusion, except as authorized by a physician or Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP) or in an emergency when necessary to protect the patient and others from injury.
    • Freedom from neglect, exploitation, verbal, sexual, mental or physical abuse, corporal punishment, involuntary seclusion or financial exploitation.
  • Examine and receive an explanation of his or her bill, regardless of the source of payment.
  • Know what Gritman Medical Center rules and regulations apply to his or her conduct as a patient.

Patient Responsibilities

Patients at Gritman Medical Center Have the Responsibility To:

  • Participate in healthcare decisions.
  • Provide accurate and complete information, to the best of the patient’s knowledge, about his or her present health, past illnesses, hospital stays, treatments, and use of medicine and/or herbs.
  • Report unexpected changes in his/her condition to the responsible practitioner.
  • Report whether he/she clearly comprehends a contemplated course of action and what is expected of him/her, including following the instructions of nurses and allied health personnel as they carry out the coordinated plan of care, implement the responsible practitioner’s orders, and enforce the applicable medical center’s rules and regulations.
  • Keep appointments and, when he is unable to do so for any reason, for notifying the responsible practitioner or the medical center.
  • Provide or have a family member or designated representative provide a current copy of the patient’s advance directive to the hospital, should the patient have one.
  • Ask questions when he or she does not understand information or instructions.
  • Inform the doctor that he or she does not think it will be possible to follow through with treatment. The patient is responsible for his or her actions if he/she refuses treatment or does not follow the practitioner’s instructions.
  • Be considerate of the needs of other patients, medical center personnel and the hospital. Follow the hospital’s rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct, including smoking policies, control of noise and the number of visitors. Be respectful of the property of other people and of the medical center.
  • Provide information about insurance and work with the hospital to arrange payment, when needed.
  • Assure the financial obligations of his/her healthcare are fulfilled as promptly as possible.
  • Recognize the effect of lifestyle on his or her personal health.
  • Contact the hospital with a “Customer Comment”, whether positive or negative, so the concern can be addressed in an effective and timely manner. Understand that any complaint will not have a negative impact on current or future care.

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

Please inform us of your feelings and opinions.

If you have a concern while receiving care at any Gritman Medical Center locations, 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 to speak with.

If your concern has not been satisfied, please notify:

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

 

For Rural Health Clinic Concerns:
In the event your complaint remains unresolved, you may file a complaint with our Accreditor, The Compliance Team, Inc., via their website (www.thecomplianceteam.org) or via phone 1-888-291-5353.

 

For Medicare Patient Concerns, You May Also Contact:
Acentra Health
Toll-free: 1-888-305-6759

You may contact either of the following:
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Bureau of Facility Standards
208-334-6626
3232 W. Elder St.
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0009

Office of Quality and Patient Safety
The Joint Commission
1-800-994-6610
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
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:
Chief Quality Officer at 208-883-6247.

Gritman’s Commitment to Quality Improvement: See the Plan.

Updated: August 2026

Gritman Medical Center
700 S. Main Street
Moscow, ID 83843
208-882-4511