Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Sigma Medical Group is committed to upholding the values and beliefs of the holistic philosophy of health care; that is, the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of those we serve. This commitment encompasses respect for life, preservation of individual dignity and service to all.

Sigma Medical Group does not deny care to people with a contagious disease, including, but not limited to HIV, MRSA, VRE, TB and Hepatitis B, unless the Indiana State Department of Health has concurred with the decision on a case-by-case basis.

Patients have the right to be informed of his or her rights in advance of receiving or discontinuing care. However, in some situations communication with the patient is not possible. In such instances, communication of these rights will be directed to the patient’s representatives, as allowed under State law.

The patient (or his/her representative, as allowed under State law) has a right:

To participate in the development and implementation of his/her plan of care. This includes the right to participate in the plan of care for pain assessment and pain management.
To make informed decisions regarding his/her care. This includes the right of being informed of his/ her health status, being involved in care planning and treatment and being able to request medically appropriate care or to refuse such care.
To exercise his/her rights while receiving care or treatment without coercion, discrimination or retaliation.
To exercise advance directives regarding decisions at the end of life and to have providers comply with these directives, in accordance with Federal and State Patient Self-Determination Act(s).
The patient’s family has the right of informed consent of donation of organs and tissues.
To have a family member or representative of his/her choice and his/her own physician notified promptly of his/her admission to the hospital.
To personal privacy.
To receive care in a safe setting.
To be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.
To be free from seclusion or restraints of any form that are not medically necessary or are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff.
To the confidentiality of his/her clinical records.
To timely access to information contained in his/her clinical records.
To reasonable access to care regardless of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, handicap, financial status or disability, within the limits of organizational resources.
To know the identity and professional status of persons who provide the care; to know which physician is primarily responsible for the care; and to know the reasons for any proposed change in the professional staff responsible for his/her care.
To be fully informed of and to consent or refuse to participate in any unusual, experimental or research project without jeopardizing access to medically appropriate care.
To request and receive an itemized and detailed explanation of the bill for services rendered and the right to timely notice prior to termination of his or her eligibility for reimbursement by a third-party payer for the cost of care.
To be informed of the source of the facility’s reimbursement for his/her services and of any limitations, which may be placed upon his/her care.
To request, at their own expense if necessary, consultation with additional professionals.
To receive a complete explanation of the need for transfer to an accepting and appropriate facility, if that becomes necessary. Such explanation should include the alternative to transfer.
To prompt resolution of grievances and complaints without coercion, discrimination or retaliation. Sigma Medical Group views complaints and concerns as valuable opportunities to improve service.
To know the relationship(s) of the facility to other persons or organizations participating in the provision of his/her care.

Patient responsibilities
For Sigma Medical Group to continue to provide high-quality services effectively and efficiently to all, the following concepts are viewed as patient responsibilities:

To be considerate of the rights of others, such as other patients and the medical/professional staff. This includes but is not limited to the responsibility of respecting privacy, asking visitors to adhere to the smoking policies, and to use any equipment in a manner that is not disturbing to others.
To follow all Sigma Medical Group rules and regulations.
Is required to assume responsibility for the loss or damage of personal property that is not turned over for safekeeping.
To fulfill the financial obligation of their health care, to be prompt in asking questions concerning their bill, for making financial arrangements for payment of the physician bill and to seek assistance if it is needed.
To provide input into and to follow the treatment plan recommended by his/her physician.
To keep scheduled appointments and to provide accurate information about medical history.