Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Participate actively in decisions about your child’s medical care.

Expect a reasonable response to any reasonable request for service within the capacity of Children’s Health, its stated mission and the law.

Know the names of the physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers who care for your child.

Retain privacy and confidential treatment of all communications and records pertaining to your child’s care, within the limits of the law.

Be told by a physician, in words or a language you understand, about the illness, treatment and prospects for recovery.

Receive as much information as you may need in order to give or refuse consent for any proposed treatment.

Make decisions, in consultation with our child’s doctor, about your child’s healthcare. This includes the right to accept or refuse medical care for your child as allowed by law and to be told of the medical consequences of such refusal.

Complete an advance directive (for example, a “living will”) for your child as allowed by law and to expect your child’s healthcare providers to comply with any such directive.

Expect proper management of your child’s pain.

Participate in ethical issues about your child’s care.

Use the telephone to make and receive calls and to know that any restrictions for medical reasons will be discussed with you.

Access your child’s medical records within a reasonable time frame.

Have a family member or representative of your choice and your child’s physician informed of your child’s admission.

Have your child treated with comfort and dignity if your child is dying. This includes managing your child’s pain, treating symptoms that respond to treatment and recognizing the cultural, spiritual and grief needs of you, your child and your family.

Receive care that is free from harassment or abuse from anyone.

Have your child be free from physical or medical restraints that are not medically necessary.

Have your child be free from restraints or seclusion for behavior management unless it is an emergency situation.

Receive care in a safe setting.

Be treated considerately and respectfully without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or cultural, economic or educational background.

Refuse to participate in any research project affecting your child’s care and treatment.

Be free to lodge a complaint and receive feedback.

Have help in contacting protective services when needed

Be told whatever is needed to understand why you are here.

Be told exactly what will be done and exactly what it will feel like.

Be given understandable answers to any questions or worries you have about treatment.

Tell everyone what you think and feel about your treatment and what is planned for you.

Know that when you are in pain people taking care of you will listen to you and help you feel better.

Have times and places to play and learn.

Be told by people who need to touch your body exactly what they will do and that they will do it in a gentle and private way.

Have your family with you as much as you want, whenever possible.

Have help to know how to take care of yourself when you go home.

Get angry, cry or say what you don’t like about what is happening to you.

Receive visitors whom the parent designates. The parent can withdraw or deny this designation at any time.

Ask questions when you do not understand what you have been told about care.

Provide accurate and complete information about matters relating to the patient’s health.

Follow the treatment plan mutually agreed upon by you and your healthcare team.

Talk to your doctor about what you expect in regard to pain and pain management.

Be considerate of other patients.

Follow the hospital’s rules and regulations.

Report perceived risks with care and unexpected changes in the patient’s condition.

Your child’s nurse or physician.

The nursing manager or director.

The service excellence representative at the Care Line 214-456-2273.

The nursing supervisor (during evening or weekend hours,
call 214-456-7000.