You have the right to access healthcare, which includes:

• Receiving treatment without discrimination as to age, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, diagnosis, ability to pay, source of payment or sexual orientation.
• Receiving treatment for any emergency medical condition regardless of ability to pay.
• Being given a complete explanation if there is a need for you to be transferred to another facility, the alternatives to such a transfer and the identity of the accepting physician at the accepting facility.
• Access to protective services, either for yourself, your child or any member of your family, who is a patient in our hospital. The Social Worker will assist you in making contact with such community resources.
• Information for Medicare admitted patients regarding beneficiary discharge rights, notice of non-coverage and the right to appeal premature discharge. 
• Knowing about hospital resources that are available to you.

Pastoral Care: (225) 387-7742
Social Work: (225) 387-7738

You have the right to participate in your care, which includes:

• Development, implementation and revision of your plan of care. This includes treatment plans, discharge plans and pain management plans.  The hospital will assist in arranging for required follow-up care after discharge as needed.
• Having interpretive and translation services as needed.  The hospital will communicate with you if you have vision, speech, hearing or cognitive impairments in a manner that meets your needs.
• Having a family member or representative of your choice and your physician notified promptly of your admission to the hospital.
• Being informed about and participating in decisions regarding your care; to include a surrogate decision maker in the decision making when you are unable to make decisions for your care, treatment or services. This information shall include the possible risks, burdens and benefits of the procedure or treatment. This information will be given to you in a language and words that you understand.
• The right to give or withhold informed consent as permitted by law.  The effects of refusing treatment will be explained to you.  Therefore, you will be able to make an informed decision regarding your care.  This includes respecting the surrogate decision maker's right to refuse care, treatment and services on your behalf of you when you are unable to make decisions for your care, treatment or services.
• Consent to or decline to participate in research, investigation and clinical trials.  
• Discussing resuscitative measures with your physician and formulating or revising your Advanced Medical Directive (living will or healthcare power of attorney). These documents express your choices about life prolonging procedures or name someone to make decisions if you are unable to speak for yourself. The hospital will follow your Advanced Medical Directive.
• Requesting a consultation from the Ethics Committee for help with difficult medical decisions.
• Expressing concerns or asking questions about care or service

Ethics Representative: (225) 387-7742
Mid City Administration: (225) 387-7767
Bluebonnet Administration: (225) 763-4040 

You have the right to information regarding your care, which includes:

• Knowing the name and the roles of the people treating you.
• Being informed of your health status, diagnosis and prognosis. This includes being informed about any continuing healthcare requirements after discharge.
• Knowing about hospital billing policies that affect your charges and payment options. You may request an explanation of your bill by calling Patient Financial Services at (225) 819-1000.
• Lodging a concern or grievance about care or service.

Mid City Administration: (225) 387-7767
Bluebonnet Administration: (225) 763-4040

• Receiving a written response to your grievance within 7-10 days.  The licensing agency for our facilities is:

Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals
500 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801
Local: (225) 342-6429
Toll Free: (866) 280-7737

• The accrediting agency for our facilities is:

The Joint Commission
(800) 994-6610

You have the right to maintain your dignity, which includes:

• Receiving considerate and respectful care in a clean and safe environment.
• Privacy and confidentiality during consultation, examination, personal hygiene activities, treatments and discussions concerning your diagnosis and treatment. Your treatment records are confidential unless you have given permission to release information for reporting required by law. You may review your medical record upon request.
• Being free from neglect, exploitation and abuse.
• Respect for your dignity and worth, regardless of your diagnosis.
• Being free from restraints that are not medically necessary.

Your responsibilities as a patient are to:

• The best of your knowledge, provide accurate and complete information about present and past medical conditions.
• Ask questions when you do not understand information or instructions.
• Follow the treatment plan recommended by the physician or to inform your doctor if you believe you believe you cannot follow through with your treatment.
• Notify the physician or nurse of any unexpected changes in your condition.
• Be considerate and respectful of the rights and needs of other patients and healthcare workers. This includes being sensitive to noise level, respectful of others property, limiting the number of visitors and abiding by the smoke-free environment.
• Provide the hospital with a copy of your most current Advanced Medical Directive if you have one.
• Assure that financial obligations of your healthcare are fulfilled.
• Follow the hospital policies regarding patient care and conduct.

Our Mission:
Improving lives and strengthening our community by providing exceptional healthcare.