Patient Rights & Responsibilities
PATIENT RIGHTS:
1. Every patient is entitled to be treated with courtesy, respect, dignity, privacy, responsiveness, and timely attention to their needs, regardless of age, race, gender, national origin, religion, culture, physical handicap, or personal values and beliefs. This treatment must be provided in a safe environment, free from any form of abuse or harassment.
2. Patients have the right to confidentiality and the authority to approve or refuse the release of their medical information to individuals outside the facility, except in cases of transferring to another health facility or as required by law or third-party payment contracts.
3. Patients have the right to express grievances or complaints without fear of reprisals regarding their treatment or care provided.
4. Patients have the right to continuity of healthcare. Physicians may not discontinue treatment as long as further treatment is medically indicated, without giving patients sufficient opportunity to make alternative arrangements.
5. Patients should receive complete information about their diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and prognosis, including alternative treatments, possible risks, and side effects associated with treatment. If it is medically inadvisable to disclose this information to the patient, it should be provided to a person designated by the patient or a legally authorized individual.
6. Patients have the right to make decisions regarding recommended healthcare and may accept or refuse any recommended medical treatment. Patients should have the opportunity to participate in decisions concerning their healthcare unless medical reasons contraindicate such participation.
7. Patients have the right to be informed of any research or experimental projects and the option to refuse participation without compromising their standard care.
8. Patients have the right to appropriate treatment and care, including the assessment and management of pain.
9. Patients have the right to understand facility charges and receive an explanation of all facility charges related to their healthcare.
10. Patients have the right to all resuscitative measures. In the event of deterioration, the facility will attempt to resuscitate the patient and transfer them to a hospital.
11. If a patient is deemed incompetent under applicable State laws, their rights are exercised by the person appointed under State law to act on their behalf.
12. If not adjudged incompetent under State law, any legal representative or surrogate designated by the patient in accordance with State law may exercise the patient's rights to the extent allowed by State law.
13. Patients have the right to request the credentials of all providers caring for them and the option to change providers if other qualified providers are available.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PATIENTS:
1. Patients are responsible for following the agreed-upon treatment plan prescribed by their provider and participating in their care.
2. Patients must provide complete and accurate past and present medical history, present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, surgeries, allergies, existence of advance directives, medications (including over-the-counter products and dietary supplements), and other pertinent data.
3. Patients agree to accept all caregivers without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, gender preference, handicap, or national origin.
4. Patients are responsible for ensuring that financial obligations for healthcare rendered are paid in a timely manner and accepting financial responsibility for charges not covered by insurance.
5. Patients are responsible for signing required consents and releases as needed.
6. Patients are responsible for their actions if they refuse a treatment or procedure or do not follow or understand the instructions given by the physician or facility employees.
7. Patients are responsible for the disposition of their valuables, as the facility does not assume responsibility.
8. Patients are responsible for being respectful to healthcare professionals, staff, other patients, visitors, and observing safety and no smoking regulations.
9. Patients must have a capable adult to drive them at the time of discharge and follow physician discharge instructions unless released by the physician.
ADVANCE DIRECTIVES:
In the State of Georgia, every individual has the primary right to request or refuse medical treatment and make Advance Directives or execute Powers of Attorney authorizing decisions on their behalf. ProSynergy Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center provides resuscitative services and transfers for all patients requiring emergency lifesaving/support measures.
All patients are asked about their advance directives, which are placed in their medical records if provided. Resuscitative efforts and transfer will occur in the event of deterioration at ProSynergy Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center. Advance Directive forms are available at the facility.
PATIENT COMPLAINT OR GRIEVANCE:
To report a complaint or grievance, please contact the facility Administrator at 706-432-9285 or by mail at the address listed at the top of this page. The Administrator will investigate within seven days and make every effort to resolve the grievance to the patient's satisfaction. A written response will be provided within thirty days.
For state and federal programs:
Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services
Address: 47 Trinity Ave., SW, Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone:(404) 657 - 5258
All Medicare beneficiaries may file a complaint or grievance with the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman online at:
https://www.cms.gov/center/special-topic/ombudsman/medicare-beneficiary-ombudsman-home
