Patient Guide

Patient Rights

Every New Jersey hospital patient shall have the following rights, none of which shall be abridged by the hospital or any of its staff. The hospital administrator shall be responsible for developing and implementing policies to protect patient rights and to respond to questions and grievances pertaining to patient rights.

These rights shall include at least the following:

To receive the care and health services that the hospital is required to provide under N.J.S.A. 26:1-1 et seq. and rules adopted by the Department of Health to implement this law;
To treatment and medical services without discrimination based on race, age, religion, national origin, sex, sexual preferences, handicap, diagnosis, ability to pay, or source of payment;
To retain and exercise to the fullest extent possible all the constitutional, civil, and legal rights to which the patient is entitled by law;
To be informed of the names and functions of all physicians and other health care professionals who are providing direct care to the patient. These people shall identify themselves by introducing or wearing a name tag;
To receive, as soon as possible, the services of a translator or interpreter to facilitate communication between the patient and the hospital's health care personnel;
To receive from the patient's physician(s), in terms that the patient understands, an explanation of his or her complete medical condition, recommended treatment, and risk(s) of the treatment, expected results and reasonable medical alternatives. If this information would be detrimental to the patient's health, or if the patient is not capable of understanding the information, the explanation be provided to his or her next of kin or guardian and documented in the patient's medical record;
To give informed, written consent prior to the start of specified non-emergency procedures or treatments only after a physician has explained in terms that the patient understands specific details about the recommended procedure or treatment, the risks involved, the possible duration of incapacitation, and any reasonable medical alternatives for care and treatment. The procedures requiring informed, written consent shall be specified in the hospital's policies and procedures. If the patient is incapable of giving informed, written consent, consent shall be sought from the patient's next of kin or guardian or through an advanced directive, to the extent authorized by law. If the patient does not give written consent, a physician shall enter an explanation in the patient's medical record;
To refuse medication and treatment after possible consequences of this decision have been explained in language the patient understands, except in life-threatening situations and instances when medication or treatment is required by law;
To be included in experimental research only when he or she gives informed, written consent to such participation, or when a guardian provides such consent for an incompetent patient in accordance with law and regulation. The patient may refuse to participate in experimental research, including the investigation of new drugs and medical devices;
To be informed if the hospital has authorized other health care and educational institutions to participate in the patient's treatment. The patient also shall have the right to know the identity and function of these institutions, and may refuse to allow their participation in the patient's treatment;
To be informed of the hospital's policies and procedures regarding life-saving methods and the use or withdrawal of life-support mechanisms. Such policies and procedures shall be made available promptly in written format to the patient, his or her family or guardian, and to the public, upon request;
To be informed by the attending physician and other providers of health care services about any continuing health care requirements after the patient's discharge from the hospital. The patient shall also have the right to receive assistance from the physician and appropriate hospital staff in arranging for required follow-up care after discharge;
To receive sufficient time before discharge to have arrangements made for health care needs after hospitalization;
To be informed by the hospital about any discharge appeal process to which the patient is entitled by law;
To be transferred to another facility only for one of the following reasons, with the reason recorded in the patient's medical record: a) The transferring hospital is unable to provide the type or level of medical care appropriate for the patient's needs. The hospital shall make an immediate effort to notify the patient's primary physician and the next of kin, and document that the notifications were received; or b) The transfer is requested by the patient, or by the patient's next of kin or guardian when the patient is mentally incapacitated or incompetent;
To receive from a physician an explanation of the reasons for transferring the patient to another facility, information about alternatives to the transfer, verification of acceptance from the receiving facility, and assurance that the movement associated with the transfer will not subject the patient to substantial, unnecessary risk of deterioration of his or her medical condition. This explanation of the transfer shall be given in advance to the patient, and/or the patient's next of kin or guardian except in a life-threatening situation where immediate transfer is necessary;
To be treated with courtesy, consideration, and respect for the patient's dignity and individuality;
To freedom from physical and mental abuse;
To freedom from restraints, unless they are authorized by a physician for a limited period of time to protect the patient or others from injury;
To have physical privacy during medical treatment and personal hygiene functions, such as bathing and using the toilet, unless the patient needs assistance for his or her own safety. The patient's privacy shall also be respected during other health care procedures and when hospital personnel are discussing the patient;
To confidential treatment of information about the patient. Information in the patient's records shall not be released to anyone outside the hospital without the patient's approval, unless another health care facility to which the patient was transferred requires the information, or unless the release of the information is required and permitted by law, a third-party payment contract, a medical peer review, or New Jersey State Department of Health. The hospital may release data about the patient for studies containing aggregated statistics when the patient's identity is masked;
To receive a copy of the hospital payment rates, regardless of source of payment. Upon request, the patient or responsible party shall be provided with an itemized bill and an explanation of the charges if there are further questions. The patient or responsible party has a right to appeal the charges. The hospital shall provide the patient or responsible party with an explanation of procedures to follow in making such an appeal;
To be advised in writing of the hospital rules and regulations that apply to the conduct of patients and visitors;
To have prompt access to the information contained in the patient's medical record, unless a physician prohibits such access as detrimental to the patient's health, and explains the reason in the medical record. In that instance, the patient's next of kin or guardian shall have the right to see the record. This right continues after the patient is discharged from the hospital for as long as the hospital has a copy of the record;
To obtain a copy of the patient's medical record, at a reasonable fee, within 30 days of a written request to the hospital. If access by the patient is medically contraindicated (as documented by a physician in the patient's medical record), the medical record shall be made available to a legally authorized representative of the patient or the patient's physician;
To have access to individual storage place in the patient's room for the patient's private use. If the patient is unable to assume responsibility for his or her personal items, there shall be a system in place to safeguard the patient's personal property until the patient or next of kin is able to assume responsibility for these items;
To be given a summary of these patient rights, as approved by the New Jersey State Department of Health, and any additional policies and procedures established by the hospital involving patient rights and responsibilities. This summary shall also include the name and phone number of the hospital staff member to whom patients can complain about possible patient rights violations. In addition, a complete statement of these patient rights shall be posted conspicuously in the patient's room and in public places throughout the hospital. Complete copies shall also be distributed to hospital staff members;
To present his or her grievances to the hospital staff member designated by the hospital to respond to questions or grievances about patient rights and to receive an answer to those grievances within a reasonable period of time. The hospital is required to provide each patient or guardian with names, addresses, and telephone numbers of government agencies to which the patient can complain and ask questions, including the New Jersey Department of Health Complaint Hotline at 1-800-792-9770. This information shall also be posted conspicuously in public places throughout the hospital;
To be assisted in obtaining public assistance and private health care benefits to which the patient may be entitled. This includes being advised that they are indigent or lack of ability to pay and that they may be eligible for coverage, and receiving the information and other assistance needed to qualify and file for benefits or reimbursement; and
Every New Jersey Hospital patient shall have the right to contract directly with a New Jersey licensed registered professional nurse of the patient's choosing for private professional nursing care during the hospitalization. If you have a question or concern about a possible violation of a patient's rights:
- Call the Patient Relations office at ext. 2432.
- Spanish-speaking patients may call Patient Relations at ext. 2534.
- Or dial "0" and the operator will page a Patient Representative.
:: Patient Responsibilities
In its intent to provide quality medical care and treatment, Cooper University Hospital requires the cooperation of the patients it serves. You, as the patient at Cooper, are responsible for:
- Providing, to the extent possible, accurate and complete information regarding present illness, past medical history, and other matters relating to your health;
- Reporting any changes in your condition to the responsible physician;
- Making known whether you understand, to your satisfaction, your health problems and/or any contemplated course of action in treatment;
- Following the treatment plan recommended by the physician primarily responsible for your care and to assist nurses and allied medical personnel in their efforts by following instructions;
- Your actions and resultant outcome, if you refuse treatment or do not follow instructions;
- Assuring that the financial obligations of your health care are promptly fulfilled;
- Following Cooper University Hospital 's rules and regulations affecting patient care, conduct, and safety.
- Being considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel; for assisting in the control of noise and conduct of visitors; for the security of your own personal belongings and the respect of property belonging to others.
:: Patient Responsibilities Related to Patient Safety
Everyone has a role in making health care safe–physicians, nurses and technicians. Health care organizations across the country are working to make health care safety a priority. You, as the patient, can also play a vital role in making your care safe by becoming an active, involved and informed member of your health care team.
- Speak up if you have questions or concerns, and if you don't understand, ask again. It's your body and you have a right to know.
- Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Make sure you're getting the right treatments and medications by the right health care professionals. Don't assume anything.
- Educate yourself about your diagnosis, the medical tests you are undergoing, and your treatment plan.
- Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.
- Know what medications you take and why you take them. Medication errors are the most common health care mistakes.
- Use a hospital, clinic, surgery center, or other type of health care organization that has undergone a rigorous on-site evaluation against established, state-of-the-art quality and safety standards, such as that provided by JCAHO.
- Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the health care team.
The public may contact The Joint Commission’s Office of Quality Monitoring to report any concerns or register complaints about a Joint Commission-accredited health care organization by either calling 1-800-994-6610 or e-mailing complaint@jointcommission.org.