Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Policy Statement

This policy sets forth the guidelines for fair and equitable treatment of all patients. 

Procedure: 

  1. All patients have the right to privacy. HIPPA guidelines are enforced, and failure to adhere to them may result in disciplinary action. No volunteer or employee of Mercy Medicine should ever discuss a patient’s case except as is necessary to provide care for that patient, and discussion of a patient’s case should never be conducted in a public area. Status or non-status as a patient of Mercy Medical Free Clinics should never be divulged or discussed. Protected Health Information (PHI) is released to other agencies only when appropriate “Release of Information” forms have been completed and obtained. Remember “The Right To Know.”
  2. No employee or volunteer should access medical records except for the purpose of providing care for that patient. Medical records should be carefully protected to maintain patient privacy.
  3. All patients have the right to treatment with dignity.
  4. All patients have the right to express concern and ask questions about their care.
  5. All patients have the right to refuse treatment without recourse. AMA forms may be required if indicated by the provider.
  6. Advanced directives will be honored.
  7. It is the responsibility of the patient to arrange transportation to Mercy for visits. Three missed appointments over a period of one year may result in dismissal from Mercy Medicine. He/she would be eligible to reapply in one year after dismissal.
  8. It is the responsibility of the patient to carry through with the prescribed course of treatment to the degree that he/she is able.
  9. It is the responsibility of the patient to comply with the “Patient Responsibilities” section of the patient application.