Your Rights – and Responsibilities – As a Patient
At BJC, we believe patients and their families deserve to know their rights and need to know their responsibilities as well. These hold true whether the patient is having an annual checkup or undergoing lifesaving therapies.
In the BJC HealthCare system, patients have the right to:
Receive treatment respectfully and considerately without discrimination
Be involved in planning their care while in the hospital and after they leave
Give permission for loved ones of their choice to participate in health-related decisions
Enjoy privacy regarding their health information
Designate those who may visit during their hospital stay and be involved with their care
Voice concerns about the care received
In addition to their rights, patients also have the responsibility to:
Respect the privacy and dignity of other patients and staff members
Help keep the hospital a safe place, free of drugs, alcohol or weapons
Provide accurate information to their doctors so that they may develop a plan of care that is right for them
Ask questions if something is unclear or they don’t understand their medical evaluation or treatment
Patient rights and responsibilities help patients take an active role in their own care, and in so doing assist their care team in helping them meet their health needs. The hospital will provide a patient rights and responsibilities document soon after the patient arrives for a stay. Patients who’d like help understanding their rights and responsibilities should ask a staff person for assistance.
While all BJC HealthCare hospitals support these core patient rights, some may offer additional information related to the specialty services they provide. Here is additional information for each BJC hospital.