Patient’s Rights and Responsibilities

Rights of Patients:

• Every patient has the right to courtesy, respect, dignity, privacy, responsiveness, and timely to his/her needs regardless of age, race, sex, national origin, religion, cultural, or physical handicap, personal value and beliefs.
• Every patient has the right to every consideration of his/her privacy and psychological well being.
• Every patient has the right to confidentiality. Has the right to approve or refuse the release of medical information to any individual outside the facility, except in the case of transfer to another health facility, or as required by law or third party payment contract.
• Every patient has the right to express grievances or complaints without fear of reprisals.
• Every patient has the right to continuity of health care. The physician may not discontinue treatment of a patient as long as further treatment is medically indicated, without giving the patient sufficient opportunity to make alternative arrangements.
• Every patient is provided complete information regarding diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, as well as alternative treatments or procedures, and the possible risks and side effects associated with treatment. If medically inadvisable to disclose to the patient such information, the information is given to a person designated by the patient or to a legally authorized individual.
• Every patient has the right to make decisions regarding the health care that is recommended by the physician. Accordingly, the patient may accept or refuse and recommended medical treatment.
• Every patient has the right to be informed of any research or experimental projects and to refuse participation without compromise to the patient’s usual care.
• Every patient has the right to appropriate treatment and care to include the assessment/management of pain.
• Every patient has the right to understand facility charges. You have the right to an explanation of all facility charges related to your health care.
• Every patient has the right to all resuscitative measures; therefore we will not honor Advance Directives.

Responsibilities of the Patient:

• Patients are responsible to be honest and direct about matters that relate to them, including answering questions honestly and completely.
• Patients are responsible to provide accurate past and present medical history, present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, surgeries, existence of advanced directive, medication and other pertinent data.
• Patient’s agree to accept all caregivers without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, gender preference or handicap, or national origin.
• Patients are responsible for assuring that the financial obligations for health care rendered are paid in a timely manner.
• Patients are responsible to sign required consents and releases as needed.
• Patients are responsible for their actions if they should refuse a treatment or procedure, or if they do not follow or understand the instructions given them by the physician or Surgery Center employees.
• Patients are responsible for keeping their procedure appointment. If they anticipate a delay or must cancel, they will notify the Surgery Center as soon as possible.
• Patients are responsible for the disposition of their valuables, as the Surgery Center does not assume the responsibility.
• Patients are responsible to be respectful of others, other people’s property, and the property of the Surgery Center.
• Patients are to observe safety and no smoking regulations.

To report a complaint or grievance, you may contact the facility Administrator by phone at 210-267-8000 or by mail to our address.

Complaints and grievances may also be submitted through the Health Facility Compliance Group (MC 1979), Texas Department of State Health Services, PO Box 149347 Austin, Texas 78714-9347, Fax: 512-834-6653, Complaint hotline: 888-973-0022 or email: hfc.complaints@dshs.texas.gov.