Your Rights as a Patient

Metroeast Endoscopy Center observes and respects a patient’s rights and responsibilities without regard to age, race, color, sex, national origin, religion, culture, physical or mental disability, personal values or belief systems. It is recognized that a personal relationship between the physician and the patient is essential for the provision of proper medical care. Your patient rights include the following:

You have the right to considerate and respectful care in a safe setting and to be free from all forms of harassment.

You have the right to information regarding the credentials and background of your physician. You also have the right to change your primary or specialty physician if another is available.

You have the right to expect personnel who care for you to be friendly, considerate, respectful, and qualified through education and experience, as well as perform the services for which they are responsible with the highest quality of service.

You have the right to obtain complete information about your diagnosis, possible treatment, and prognosis in a manner that is understandable to you. When it is not medically advisable to give such information to the patient, the information should be made available to the patient’s designated representative who shall exercise the patient’s rights.

You have the right to receive complete information from your physician, regarding proposed treatment or procedure, necessary to give informed consent or to refuse this course of treatment. Except in emergencies, this information shall include a description of the procedure or treatment, the medically significant risks involved, alternate course of treatment or non-treatment and to know the name of the person responsible for the procedure or treatment.

You have the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and be informed of the medical consequences of your action. You, the patient, accepts responsibility for your actions should you refuse treatment or not follow the instructions of the physician or facility.

You have the right to expect that all communications and records pertaining to your care, including financial records, should be treated as confidential and not released without written authorization by the patient, except in the case of transfer to another health care facility, or as required by law or third-party payment contract.

You have the right to have full access to your medical record.

You have the right to have an initial assessment and regular assessment of pain. Education of patients and family, when appropriate, regarding their roles in managing pain.

You have the right to know about facility fees and payment methods. You will receive a copy of your bill. You can request an explanation of your bill regardless of the source of payment.

You have the right to express grievances, complaints and suggestions at any time. If a patient has a grievance with the facility, you may speak immediately with the Office Manager or a formal written grievance may be completed for further review of the grievance.