Your Patient Rights and Responsibilities

It is your right as an IHTC patient or client ...

• To request and receive medically appropriate treatment and services withing the center’s capacity and mission The Indiana Hemophilia & Thrombosis Center is committed to providing the highest quality comprehensive health care services to patients with bleeding and clotting disorders, and to their families.
• To receive care that respects your individual cultural, spiritual, and social values, regardless of race, color, creed, nationality, age, gender, disability, or source of payment.
• To receive compassionate care that respects and promotes your dignity, privacy, safety, and comfort and that manages your pain as best as humanly possible.
• To expect that efforts will be made to provide you the best of care during all clinical, consultative, and inpatient healthcare experiences involving the IHTC.
• To be informed – in clear, understandable language – of the nature of your illness and treatment options, including potential risks, benefits, alternatives, and costs, and to participate fully in your healthcare decisions as a partner in your treatment.
• To know the identity of your caregivers, and to feel comfortable requesting a second opinion or change of physicians.
• To accept or refuse recommended tests or treatments, to the extent the law permits. To refuse to sign a consent form if there is anything on it you do not understand or agree to. To change your mind about any procedure to which you have consented. To be informed of the medical consequences of refusing tests or treatments.
• To be informed of any proposed research or experimental treatment that may be considered in your care, and to consent or refuse to participate in this treatment.
• To formulate advance directives. To expect that your advance directives will be followed when applicable. (Advance directives are witnessed documents that say what you desire in the event you are unable to communicate your wishes. Advance directives such as a living will or life-prolonging procedures declaration help you express your wishes about the extent to which you want treatments to prolong your life when death is inevitable within a short time. Directives such as the appointment of a healthcare representative or durable power of attorney specify who should speak on your behalf if you cannot express your own wishes, either temporarily or permanently. If you would like someone to discuss advance directives with you, ask your caregiver to put you in contact with the IHTC social worker.)
• To expect that appropriate decision-makers will be sought in case you lack decisionmaking ability and have no advance directive.
• To raise ethical issues concerning your care with your care providers.
• To participate in the resolution of those issues. To be assured that medical and personal information will be handled in a confidential manner. To have access to the information in your medical record. It is your decision whether we release any information whatsoever, other than that required by your physicians and insurance provider. (Your caregivers can explain this option.)
• To receive a prompt and courteous response to your complaints about the quality of care or service.
• To request and receive information regarding patient billings for medical services, including payments, insurance status, and charge explanations. To receive information regarding financial assistance and help in determining your financial needs. In order to help us meet your healthcare needs and provide you appropriate care, your responsibilities as an IHTC patient or client are:
• To provide all required personal and family health information.
• To notify the IHTC of any relevant change in personal and family health information.
• To participate as best you can in making decisions about your medical treatment, and to carry out the plan of care agreed upon by you and your caregivers.
• To ask questions of your physician or other caregivers when you do not understand any information or instructions.
• To inform your physician or other care providers if you do not understand your diagnosis or treatment or if you desire a transfer of care to another physician, caregiver, or facility.
• To be considerate of others receiving or providing care.
• To observe treatment center policies and procedures, including those on smoking, noise, and visitors.
• To accept your financial obligations associated with your care and to provide appropriate financial information when requesting financial assistance, if needed.
• To be reasonable in requests for medical treatment and other healthcare services.
• To advise your caregivers of any dissatisfaction you may have.
  
  For any questions or concerns pertaining to the provision and execution of your patient rights, contact us.