Patients' Rights and Responsibilities

Responding to your needs

River Valley Health recognizes the importance of responding to your needs, or those of your family. We strive to deliver the highest quality of care and service through dedication to our mission and our values.

We encourage you to play an active role in helping us to meet your needs. You can do this by making sure that you are aware of your "rights" and "responsibilities".

Respect and confidentiality

You have the right to

• be treated with respect and dignity
  
• privacy during your treatment, and
  
• know that your health information is kept private and confidential.

You are responsible for

• treating health care providers with respect and dignity, and
  
• understanding the need for health care providers to share information about your condition/treatment plan among the health care team as appropriate.

Teamwork

You have the right to

• know the members of your health care team and their various roles
  
• participate in your treatment and discharge plan
  
• ask questions of all members of the health care team
  
• be told of any risks associated with your treatment plan
  
• a second opinion
  
• agree to or refuse any procedure, medical treatment, or teaching/research program, except as otherwise required by law
  
• leave the hospital at any time, even if it is against the advice of your health care team, except as otherwise required by law, and ask about and be told what may happen as a result of any decision.

You are responsible for

• discussing any issues/questions about your hospital care or treatment plan with your health care provider
  
• keeping the health care team informed of all relevant information that pertains to your treatment
  
• accepting the consequences of your own health care decisions
  
• keeping the health care team informed of any changes in your health care decisions, and
  
• appointing an individual to act on your behalf if you become unable to decide for yourself.

Your health care team is responsible for

• communicating the reasons for decisions made concerning your care, and
  
• advocating for patients and listening to patients' concerns.

Financial matters

You have the right to

• ask about any charges related to your treatment.

You are responsible for

• knowing the details of your private health care coverage and paying any charges not covered by your health care plan (e.g. Medicare, Blue Cross).
  

• using the health care system appropriately, and
  
• for being aware of health care costs.

If you have concerns

We are here to help. If you have any questions and concerns at any time, about these "rights" and "responsibilities", please speak to a member of your health care team. This could be

• your doctor
  
• your nurse
  
• another health care provider
  
• the person in charge of the unit/department, or
  
• the evening, night, or weekend supervisor.

If you still feel that your concerns have not been addressed to your satisfaction you may contact the Patient Advocate at 1-506-447-4426, toll free 1-866-864-3300 or via email at patient.advocate@rvh.nb.ca

The Patient Advocate will provide personal service in all River Valley Health facilities to serve your needs. The Patient Advocate’s office is located at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital on the 2 nd floor in the Administration Suite.