Patient’s Rights and Responsibilities
At Big Horn Hospital Association, we recognize the importance of treating each patient with respect and integrity, of recognizing individuality, of providing clear information and involving the patient in choices about his or her care and treatment.
Patient Rights: As a patient, you deserve:
Quality of Care
Care which recognizes and maintains your dignity and values.
A safe care setting.
Care provided by competent personnel.
Knowing the identity and professional status of your caregivers.
Pastoral and/or spiritual support.
Interpreters and/or special equipment to assist language needs.
Information about care options that are available after discharge.
Freedom from all forms of abuse and harassment.
Confidentiality and Privacy
Personal privacy within the law.
Confidentiality of your medical and billing records.
Decision Making
To receive all medical information regarding health status, including alternatives and risks.
To help plan your care, treatment and discharge.
To participate in decisions about your care.
To give informed consent prior to the start of any tests, surgery, procedure or treatment. You may also withdraw your consent at any time.
To request a second opinion.
To create advance directives (such as a living will) and to have the intent of such directives honored to the extent permitted by law.
To accept, refuse or withdraw from clinical research.
To choose or change your health care provider.
Access to Medical Records
To ask to review your medical records with your health care provider and to have the information explained and interpreted within a reasonable time frame.
Seclusion and Restraints
To be free of any sort of restraint unless medically necessary.
Pain Management
Pain or discomfort is an expected result of surgical and medical conditions. We would like you to:
Ask your doctor or nurse any questions about pain or the treatment plan.
Be as comfortable as possible during your hospital stay within the context of safe and appropriate pain management.
Tell the hospital staff how much pain you are experiencing on a scale of 1 to 10, and which activities make it worse.
Be treated for any side effects that pain medications may cause.
Billing
A complete explanation of your bill.
To speak with a financial counselor regarding your bill, insurance, copays and other means of payment.
Non-Discrimination
This health care facility is required by law to make its services available to all people in the community.
This Facility does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in its health programs and activities or because a patient is covered by a program such as Medicaid or Medicare.
If this facility provides emergency services, it must not deny those services to a person who needs them but cannot pay for them.
Patient Responsibilities: Help us take care of you. Please know that we support you in meeting your responsibilities during your stay, such as:
Accessibility
This facility provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as:
Qualified sign language interpreters or access to written communication tools.
Written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats).
Free language services to people whose primary language is not English by qualified interpreters. (language sheet)
Sharing Information
Providing accurate and complete medical information to your health care providers.
Understanding your treatment plan, asking questions, and informing staff when answers are not understandable or your treatment plan cannot be followed.
Reporting any change in your condition.
Presenting important valuables to hospital staff for safekeeping.
Informing us of Advance Directives.
Involvement
Participating in your care.
Following the advice of your health care team to the best of your ability.
Accepting the consequences of your decisions of you refuse to follow recommended treatments and instructions.
Respect and Consideration
Respecting the needs, and rights and property of other patients, family and caregivers.
Being mindful of noise levels.
Insurance and Billing
Knowing the extent of your insurance coverage.
Knowing your insurance requirements such as pre-authorization, deductibles and co-payments.
Calling the billing office with questions or concerns.
Meeting your financial obligations.
Grievance Process
To voice concerns or file a grievance contact the Risk Manager at 17 N. Miles Ave, Hardin, MT 59034 or 406-665-9259.
Your grievance will be acknowledged and investigated.
You have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights, electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal available at https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf, or by mail or phone at: U.S Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 509F, HHH Building, Washington, D.C., 1-800-368-1019, 1-800-537-7697 (TDD)
NO SMOKING POLICY – BIG HORN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION IS A NON-SMOKING CAMPUS.