Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Wills Eye Patient's Bill of Rights

Wills Eye Hospital has a tradition of excellent medical care for all of its patients. As part of this commitment to quality care, Wills supports a patient's right to participate in the healthcare decisions that affect his or her well-being. It is our goal to provide medical care that is effective and considerate within our capacity, mission and philosophy, applicable to law and regulation. The Patient's Bill or Rights reflects the interests of our staff who enthusiastically endorses its principles.

Download the Patient's Bill of Rights.

Patient Rights

• A patient has the right to have informed participation in decisions relating to his or her medical care.
• Except in emergencies, patients have the right to receive, in advance of treatment or contemplated procedure, a full explanation from their physician so that they may exercise their right of informed consent.
• A patient has the right to refuse drugs on procedures, to the extent permitted by statute, and a practitioner shall inform the patient of the medical consequences of the patient's refusal of drugs or procedures.
• A patient has the right to medical and nursing services without discrimination based upon age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, disability, or source of payment.
•  A patient who does not speak English shall have access, where possible, to an interpreter.
• A patient, or patient designee, shall have access to the information contained in his or her medical records upon request unless access is specifically restricted by the attending practitioner for medical reasons.
• A patient has the right to confidentiality of all information except as otherwise provided by law or by his or her agreement to arrangements with third-party payers such as Medicare or Blue Cross.
• A patient has the right to expect good management techniques to be implemented. These techniques shall make effective use of the time of the patient and avoid the personal discomfort of the patient.
• When an emergency occurs and a patient is transferred to another facility, the responsible person shall be notified. The institution to which the patient is to be transferred shall be notified prior to the patient's transfer.
• A patient has the right to examine and receive a detailed explanation of his or her bill.
• A patient has the right to expect that Wills will provide information for continuing health care requirements following discharge and the means for meeting them.
• A patient has the right to be informed of his or her rights at the time of admission.
• A patient has the right to change their primary or specialty physician if other qualified physicians are available.
• A patient has the right to obtain provider credentialing information.
• A patient has the right to timely information about facility policy that may limit its ability to implement fully a legally valid advanced directive.
• A patient has the right to exercise his or her rights without being subject to discrimination or reprisal.
• A patient has the right to voice grievances regarding treatment or care that is or fails to be given.

Patient Responsibilities

• A patient is expected to provide, to the best of his or her knowledge, accurate and complete information about his or her present complaint, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications including over-the-counter products and dietary supplements and any allergies or sensitivities and other matters relating to his or her health.
• A patient is expected to cooperate with the planned care and treatment at Wills.
• A patient is expected to be aware of and sensitive to the needs of other patients, and respectful of the property of other patients, and be respectful of all healthcare providers and staff.
• A patient has the responsibility to meet financial obligations to Wills and the physician for the services rendered.
• A patient's activities must be consistent with the policies and procedures of Wills that relate to patient care and conduct. The patient and any accompanying members are expected not to engage in any activity that is in violation of those policies and procedures.
• Any patient that does not follow the plan of care prescribed for his or her surgical procedure, or who does not adhere to these Patient Responsibilities, may be dismissed from care at Wills.
• A patient is expected to provide a responsible adult to transport him or her home from the facility after surgery and other procedures and remain with him or her for 24 hours, if required by his or her provider.
• A patient is responsible for informing his/her provider about any living will, medical power of attorney, or other directive that could affect his or her care.

Advanced Directives

Written instructions regarding a patient's medical care preferences, to ensure that a patient's wishes are carried out even in the event they are unable to communicate clearly.

An advance health care directive is a written set of instructions expressing your wishes for medical treatment. It may contain a health care power of attorney, where you name a person called a "health care agent" to decide treatment for you, and a living will, where you tell your health care agent and health care providers your choices regarding the initiation, continuation, withholding, or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment and other specific instructions.

If you decide to use this form or create your own advance health care directive, you should consult with your primary care physician and your attorney to make sure that your wishes are clearly expressed and comply with the law. Press Here To Download Advance Directives Form

 

Comments or complaints may be forwarded to:
Pennsylvania Department of Health
P.O. Box 90 Harrisburg, PA 17018
l (877) PA-HEALTH