Patient Rights Responsibilities
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You, the patient, have the right
To treatment without discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, religion,
culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status,
sex, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
To expect a family member and your doctor will be informed you are a patient
at the medical center.
To be treated with dignity and respect in a safe, clean setting, free from
abuse, neglect or harassment.
To know the identity of doctors, nurses and others involved in your care
and you have the right to know when they are students, residents or other trainees.
To receive information about what is expected of patients and where you
can take complaints. Patients can freely voice complaints and recommend
changes without being subject to coercion, discrimination, reprisal, or
unreasonable interruption of care, treatment and services.
To privacy and confidentiality within the limits of the law.
(Your rights are described in the Notice of Privacy Practice.)
To be told about your illness or injury, the benefits and risks of each
treatment, what to expect during treatment and how well you may recover.
This information must be given in terms you can understand, so you can
give permission before treatment begins. (Except in emergencies when the
patient is not conscious or not able to communicate and the need for treatment
is urgent.)
To request a review by the Ethics Committee about an ethical issue related
to your care.
To refuse treatment, if the law allows, and to be told by your doctor what
might happen medically, because of your decision.
To be told if anything unexpected and significant happens during your medical
center stay and any resulting changes in your care.
To have your report of pain acknowledged and treated as appropriate.
To be free from restraints and seclusion of any form used as a means of
coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff.
To be informed about advance directives and to receive assistance in completing
one. This will include naming someone to make decisions about your care
if you are not able to.
(You will receive treatment even if you do not have an advance directive.)
To receive care to make you as comfortable as possible if you are dying,
including your spiritual needs regarding death.
To have access to space and be allowed to talk privately with people outside
of the medical center, whether in person, by mail, or telephone, appropriate
to your needs, care, treatment and services.
To have access to a medical center interpreter.
To have a family member, friend or other representative of your choice
present with you for emotional support during your stay.
To be told of any research being done related to your care, and to either
agree or refuse to be part of the research.
To be active in your plan of care, before, during and after your medical
center stay, and to be told of choices available to you for healthcare
services after leaving the medical center.
To receive help identifying sources of follow-up care, and to let you know
if our medical center has a financial interest in any referrals.
To file a complaint about any part of your care and to know what happened
as a result of your complaint.
To be allowed to see or get a copy of your medical record as allowed in
the St. Joseph policy. (Written request, 24 hours in advance.)
To ask for a detailed copy of your bill, even if insurance is paying. Contact
the Business Office at 816-943-2192.
To be informed of the medical center programs available to you if you are
experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence.
Call 816-461-4673, and ask for the Bridge Span Advocate, or call the Metro
Wide Domestic Violence Hotline at 816-HOTLINE (816-468-5463).
Even if the patient is able to make his/her own decisions, they may appoint
a representative to exercise these rights on their behalf. If the patient
is not able to make his/her own decisions, is legally incompetent or is
a minor, an authorized representative including a guardian can exercise
these rights on the patient’s behalf.
You have the responsibility
To provide, to the best of your ability, accurate and complete information
about your condition, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medication, dietary
supplements, past allergic reactions, etc., related to your health.
To be aware of financial consequences of using uncovered services or out
of network providers and any network or admission requirements under your
health plan.
To inform physicians, nurses or other health professionals of any change
in your condition or reaction to your treatment, or any special needs
during your visit, such as spiritual care, interpreters, etc.
To ask questions if you do not understand your medical plan of care or
treatment instructions.
To follow the instructions of healthcare providers involved in your care.
To accept responsibility if you choose to refuse treatment.
To be respectful of the rights of other patients, staff and property of
the medical center.
To follow medical center rules and regulations affecting patient care,
conduct, safety and visiting hours.
St. Mary’s Medical Center is smoke-free facility.
St. Mary's is committed to providing quality care to our patients. Physicians’
clinical decisions about the patient’s care are based on patient
needs and not affected by the method of payment between the medical center
and providers.
If you have any questions regarding your patient rights and responsibilities,
or have a request, concern or complaint, please contact:
Patient Representative
201 NW R.D. Mize Rd.
Blue Springs, MO 64014
816-655-5707
State Survey Agency:
Health Standards and Licensure
Dept. of Health and Senior Services
P.O. Box 570 • Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-6303 or
800-392-0210
health.mo.gov/askus.php
Accreditation Agency:
The Joint Commission
One Renaissance Blvd. • Oakbrook Terr, IL 60181
800-994-6610
jointcommision.org
Patient Privacy
If you wish to receive a copy of St. Mary's Notice of Privacy Practices, please contact your nurse. You can direct questions or concerns about patient privacy to the Privacy Officer at 816-943-2112.