Patient rights.

You have the right:

  • To be treated with respect and dignity.
  • To receive information about your care, in ways that you can understand.
  • To receive emotional support from the staff.
  • To participate in decisions regarding your care and treatment.
  • To receive privacy for treatment and to expect that information regarding your case will be kept private.
  • To have a family member stay with you during your visit.
  • To be cared for by doctors, nurses and others who know how to care for children and teenagers.
  • To know the names of the people caring for you.
  • To be taught, in ways that you can understand, how to take care of yourself at home.
  • To receive language assistance services, if required, to communicate to office staff.
  • To a sign language interpreter if one is required for you to effectively communicate with the staff.
  • To receive information about pain and pain relief measures.
  • To have health professionals who respond quickly to your reports of pain.

Patient responsibilities.

You have the responsibility:

  • To tell the nurses and doctors how you are feeling.
  • To tell the nurses and doctors when you do not understand something that they are doing or saying.
  • To follow your plan of care as you agreed to do.
  • To respect the rights and privacy of other patients and their families.
  • To treat the staff with respect and dignity.
  • To ask your doctor or nurse what to expect regarding your pain and pain management.
  • To help your doctor and nurse assess your pain and discuss pain relief options.
  • To tell your doctor or nurse about any worries you have about taking medication.