Patient & Visitors Services
Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Patient Bill of Rights

Patient Rights Thank you for taking the time to read this Patient Bill of Rights. If you would like a complete copy of the Patient Bill of Rights or to discuss these rights and responsibilities, please call the Office of Patient Advocates at 508-363-6308, or (in-house) extension 26308.

If you need a translation of this document, please call Interpreter Services at 508-363-8695, or (in-house) extension 28695.

Derechos y responsabilidades del paciente: Si necesita una traducción de este documento, favor de comunicarse con la oficina de Servicio de Intérpretes al 508-363-8695 o dentro del hospital a la extensión 28695.

Direitos e responsabilidades dos pacientes: se você precisar de uma tradução deste documento, ligue para Interpreter Services(serviços de intérpretes), no telefone 508-363-8695, ou (na empresa) no ramal 28695.

These Are Your Responsibilities

While it is the commitment of Saint Vincent Hospital and our staff to honor and respect your rights as a patient, you also have the responsibility to help make your care a positive health experience and assure the optimum outcome. Saint Vincent Hospital expects
you to:
  • Be honest with us and provide complete and accurate information about your present illness, including previous hospitalizations and anything else you know about your health that would help us treat you. Also, let us know your expectations about hospitalization and treatment.
  • Ask questions of any member of your treatment team until you have a complete understanding of what they are saying to you; also, please tell your physician if you cannot follow the plan.
  • Comply with all the hospital’s rules and regulations as they relate to your care, safety and conduct as a patient. Be considerate of Saint Vincent Hospital staff and property as well as other patients and their property.
  • Give the hospital all the information they will need and promptly fulfill your financial obligations that you incur while in the hospital, to the extent of your ability to pay.

Your Rights as a Patient

Saint Vincent Hospital and its entire staff respect your rights as a patient, recognizing you as an individual with unique health care needs. Our goal is to give you the care that is right for your illness and to help you get well as soon as possible.

The rights and responsibilities that follow are a summary of your rights under Massachusetts Law, called the Patient Bill of Rights, and standards of The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations. By exercising your rights and responsibilities you help us give you the best care while you are in the hospital.

These Are Your Rights
  • You have the right to be treated in a caring and respectful way, without regard to race, religion, cultural values, disability, sex, or age.
  • You have the right to know the names of the people who are taking care of you and how they will help you or provide care for you. This is also true if you are taken care of by students, resident doctors, or other people in training.
  • You have the right to refuse to be observed, examined, or treated without jeopardizing your access to care. This is also true if you are taken care of by students, resident doctors, or other people in training.
  • You have the right to create an advanced directive/health care proxy, which tells the hospital and doctor who you want to make decisions for you if you are ever unable to do so. Upon admission, if you already have an advanced directive, please provide the hospital with a copy, which will be placed in your medical record.
  • You have the right to make decisions regarding your medical care, including the decision to discontinue treatment.
  • You have the right to take part in the research study or to say no if you do not want to take part.
  • You have the right to revise your advanced directive/health care proxy.
  • You have the right to receive the ethics consultation service, which is available to assist you and your family in making ethical decisions.
  • You have the right to prompt, life-saving treatment without discrimination due to economic status or source of payment.
  • You have the right, if suffering from any form of breast cancer, to complete information on all alternative treatments that are medically viable.
  • You have the right to confidentiality of all records and communications concerning your medical history and treatment to the extent provided by law.
  • You have the right to personal dignity, and, to the extent reasonably possible, to privacy during medical treatment and other care.
  • You have the right to a prompt response to all reasonable requests.
  • You have the right to informed consent to the extent provided by law.
  • You have the right to receive information relative to financial assistance and free care and request an itemized bill reflecting charges from the physician and/or facility.
  • You have the right to obtain a copy of any rules or regulations of this hospital that may apply to your conduct as a patient.
  • You have the right, upon request, to inspect your medical records, request an amendment to, or receive an accounting of disclosures regarding personal health information, and for a reasonable fee, receive a copy of your record.
  • You have the right to receive a copy of your medical record free if you show that your request is to support a claim or appeal under any provisions of the Social Security Act in any federal or state financial needs-based benefit program.
  • You have the right to personal safety and a secure environment while you are at Saint Vincent Hospital.
  • You have the right to have your pain managed.
  • You have the right to effective communication.
  • You have the right to fairly and openly voice your concerns or complaints when the quality of the care or services that you have received does not meet your expectations. If you present a complaint, your care will not be affected in any way. Also, if you have a problem that you cannot solve with your doctor, your nurse, Department Manager, or other caregiver, you may contact The Office of Patient Advocates at 508-363-6308.
  • You have the right to be informed regarding the extent to which the hospital is able, willing and/or unwilling to honor advanced directives on medical treatments or procedures of any kind, which the hospital deems are not in accordance with its values and ethics.
  • You have the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment, including forgoing or withdrawing life sustaining treatment or withholding resuscitative services.

These Rules Apply to Both Patients and Visitors

  • Respect the rights of other patients to get medical care without being disturbed. Telephones and televisions should be used in a manner that is agreeable to your roommate.
  • Refrain from using cellular phones in patient care areas and observe the no smoking policy. Do both only in specially designated areas.
  • Express concerns to your caregivers in a respectful manner (if you need additional assistance or are upset about your care, a patient advocate can help you).

To file a complaint about your care, you may contact:

Office of Patient Advocates
Saint Vincent Hospital
123 Summer Street
Worcester, MA 01608-1320
508-363-6308

Department of Public Health
Division of Health Care Quality
99 Chauncey Street, 2nd floor
Boston, MA 02111
800-462-5540

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations
(The Joint Commission)
Division of Accreditation Operations
1 Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
800-994-6610
Email: complaint@jointcommission.org

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Board of Registration in Medicine
200 Harvard Mill Square, Suite 300
Wakefield, MA 01880
781-876-8200