Patient Rights

The patient has the right to considerate and respectful care, and the right to know, by name, the credentialed physician responsible for coordinating his/her care.

The patient has the right to obtain from the physician complete and current information concerning his/her care in terms easily understood. When it is not medically advisable to give such information to the patient, the information should be made available to an appropriate person on their behalf.

The patient has the right to receive from his/her physician information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or special treatment. Except in emergencies, such information for informed consent should include but not necessarily be limited to the specific procedure and/or treatment, the medical risks involved, and the probable duration on incapacitation. The patient has the right to know the name of the person responsible for the procedures and/or treatment. The patient has the right to know those procedures and/or treatments are covered under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

The patient has the right to every consideration of his/her privacy concerning their health care program. Case discussion, consultation, examination, treatment, and all communications and records pertaining to care should be treated confidentially and concluded discreetly. Individuals not directly involved must have the permission of the patient to be present.

The patient has the right to expect that within its capacity a clinic should make a reasonable response to the request of the patient for services. The clinic should provide service, evaluation, and/or referral as indicated by the urgency of care. When medically permissible, a patient may be transferred to another facility only after complete information and explanation concerning the needs for and alternatives to such a transfer has been received. The institution to which the patient  is to be transferred must have accepted the patient for transfer. The patient has the right to receive an explanation of his/her bill regardless of source of payment.

The patient has the right to obtain information as to any relationship of this facility to other health care institutions insofar as his/her care is concerned. The patient has the right to obtain information as to the existence of any professional relationships among individuals, by name, which is providing treatment.

The patient has the right to be advised if the clinic proposed to engage in or perform human experimentation affecting his/her treatment. The patient has the right to refuse to participate in such research projects.

The patient has the right to expect reasonable continuity of care. He/She has the right to know in advance when and where physicians are available. This clinic is not open 24 hours a day. Depending on the severity of their condition, patients should go either to Claremore Indian Hospital or Integris Miami Hospital Emergency Room.

The patient has the right to file grievances in writing regarding his/her care to either the CEO or the Northeastern Tribal Health System Governing Board. The patient shall receive a reply on the status of  his/her complaint within a reasonable time. The entire situation and action taken should be documented as soon as possible and made a matter of permanent record. The patient has the right to know what clinic rules and regulations apply to his/her conduct as a patient.