Health to Human International Medical Center (Healthuma)
Patients' Rights and Responsibilities
Last Updated: 04/09/2025
Policy Owner: Office of Patient Experience & Ethics Committee
A Message from Healthuma
At Health to Human International Medical Center (Healthuma), we believe that a collaborative partnership between you, your family, and your healthcare team is fundamental to your care. Understanding your rights and responsibilities helps us build this partnership and ensures you receive the highest quality, most compassionate care in a respectful and safe environment.
This document outlines both your fundamental rights as a patient and your key responsibilities as a partner in your care.
Part I: Your Rights as a Patient
1. Right to Respectful, Non-Discriminatory Care
You have the right to considerate, respectful, and compassionate care at all times, regardless of your age, gender, race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, socioeconomic status, or source of payment.
This care will honor your personal values and beliefs.
2. Right to Information and Communication
You have the right to receive information in a manner you can understand, including providing interpreters or assistive devices for hearing, vision, or cognitive impairments at no cost to you.
You have the right to know the name and professional role of every member of your care team.
3. Right to Privacy and Confidentiality
You have the right to physical privacy during your care, including during examinations, procedures, and conversations about your care. Case discussions, consultations, and treatment will be conducted discreetly.
Your medical and financial records will be kept confidential. Your written permission is required for the release of your information to anyone not directly involved in your care or authorized by law. For more details, please refer to our Notice of Privacy Practices (HIPAA).
4. Right to Participate in Care Decisions
You have the right to be informed about your diagnosis, proposed treatment plan, potential benefits, material risks, and alternatives (including the alternative of no treatment) in order to make informed decisions about your care.
You have the right to participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care, including the management of your pain.
You have the right to agree to or refuse a recommended treatment plan to the extent permitted by law. You also have the right to be informed of the medical consequences of refusing treatment.
5. Right to Advance Directives
You have the right to create Advance Directives (such as a Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare) to specify your wishes for future medical care if you become unable to speak for yourself.
Healthuma staff and practitioners will comply with these directives to the fullest extent permitted by law and hospital policy. You are responsible for providing a copy of your Advance Directive for your medical record.
6. Right to Safety and Security
You have the right to receive care in a safe environment, free from all forms of abuse, harassment, neglect, or exploitation.
You have the right to be free from unnecessary physical or chemical restraints and seclusion, unless they are used as a last resort to ensure your immediate physical safety or the safety of others.
7. Right to Be Informed of Hospital Policies and Practices
You have the right to be informed of hospital policies, procedures, and practices that relate to your care, treatment, and responsibilities.
You have the right to be informed of the business relationships between the hospital and other healthcare and educational institutions that may influence your care.
8. Right to Access Your Medical Records
You have the right to review and receive a copy of your medical records promptly, in accordance with state and federal law. Requests can be made through our Health Information Management department.
9. Right to Consent or Refuse to Participate in Research
You have the right to be informed if your care involves research, investigation, or clinical trials. Your participation is entirely voluntary, and your refusal to participate will not compromise your access to standard medical care.
10. Right to Pain Management
You have the right to have your pain assessed and managed appropriately. Your healthcare team will work with you to create a pain management plan that is tailored to your needs.
11. Right to Consultation and Transfer
At your request, you have the right to consult with a specialist at your own expense.
You have the right to be informed of any continuing healthcare requirements following your discharge from the hospital.
Upon request, you have the right to be transferred to another facility, provided the other facility accepts you and you have received a full explanation of the risks and benefits of the transfer.
12. Right to Clear Billing Information
You have the right to receive a clear, understandable explanation of your bill, regardless of your payment source. You have the right to request information about financial assistance resources.
13. Right to Voice Concerns and Grievances
You have the right to voice concerns or complaints about your care without fear of compromise to your future care.
You have the right to a fair, fast, and objective review of any complaint. You may file a grievance with the Office of Patient Experience or, for concerns about quality of care or safety, with The Joint Commission.
Part II: Your Responsibilities as a Patient
To support the collaborative partnership in your care, we ask that you assume the following responsibilities:
1. Responsibility to Provide Accurate Information
Provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about your present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications (including over-the-counter and herbal products), allergies, and other matters relating to your health.
Report any changes in your condition or any unexpected reactions to your care team.
2. Responsibility to Ask Questions and Seek Understanding
It is your responsibility to ask questions if you do not understand your diagnosis, treatment, or any instructions you are given.
Inform your doctor if you believe you cannot follow through with the proposed treatment plan.
3. Responsibility to Follow the Agreed-Upon Plan of Care
You are responsible for following the treatment plan developed with your healthcare providers. This includes following the instructions of nurses and allied health personnel.
You are responsible for keeping appointments and notifying the hospital or your provider if you are unable to do so.
4. Responsibility for Your Actions If You Refuse Treatment
You are responsible for your actions and the outcomes if you refuse treatment or do not follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.
5. Responsibility for Financial Obligations
You are responsible for providing necessary insurance information and for promptly meeting any financial obligations agreed upon for your healthcare.
6. Responsibility for Respect and Consideration
You are responsible for being considerate of the rights of other patients, visitors, and Healthuma staff by assisting in the control of noise, limiting visitors, and respecting the property of others and of the hospital.
You are responsible for following Healthuma’s rules and regulations, including our policies on smoking, conduct, and visitation.
7. Responsibility to Inform Us of Your Advance Directives
You are responsible for providing a copy of your Advance Directive (if you have one) to your care team and for ensuring your healthcare agent is aware of your wishes.