Patient Rights, Responsibilities & Privacy

At Hartford HealthCare, our patients and team members are expected to maintain a safe environment and be treated with courtesy, dignity and respect.

This place of caregiving will be free of threats, violence, disrespectful communication, abuse or harassment of other patients or members of the Hartford HealthCare community. Hartford HealthCare does not tolerate discrimination against any person, including patients and team members, on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, culture, disability, age, sex, religion, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Hartford HealthCare is committed to providing our patients and families with their rights and responsibilities.

As a patient you have the right to:

1. Be informed, in an honest and truthful manner, about your care and treatment plans in support of your full and confident participation.
2. Make informed decisions.
3. Have your physician and/or a person of your choice notified of your admission to the hospital.
4. Know the names of the health care providers and their role in your care.
5. Have consideration for personal privacy and confidentiality.
6. Have a reasonable response to requests.
7. Request medically appropriate and necessary treatment.
8. Refuse treatment as allowed by law.
9. Receive treatment and accommodations in an environment that is sensitive to your beliefs, values, cultures and spiritual needs.
10. Request a second opinion about your care.
11. Receive assessment and be informed of treatment methods and management of your pain or discomfort.
12. Be provided with free interpreter services as needed.
13. Create an advance directive.
14. Be free from abuse or harassment.
15. Be free from restraint of any kind that is not medically necessary or required to maintain the safety of patients or staff.
16. Be informed about the care you will need after discharge.
17. Receive and obtain copies of your medical records.
18. Receive information about an explanation of costs related to care provided.
19. Request that an autopsy be performed either here or arrange for any other institution of choice to perform.
20. The right to receive designated visitors during scheduled visiting hours and ability to withdraw consent for visitation for any or all visitors at any time.
21. Express a complaint or grievance by contacting the Office of Patient and Family Affairs.

In order to provide the best possible service to our patients, a Patient Advocate is available to assist you. Should you or family have questions about the hospital, comments about your care, suggestions on improving our services or a need for someone to listen, please contact a Patient Advocate (see below).

This Statement of Patient Responsibilities was designated to demonstrate that mutual respect and cooperation are basic to the delivery of quality healthcare.

As a patient you are responsible to:

1. Inform the medical team for any health problems or changes.
2. Provide accurate and complete information about your health.
3. Observe all hospital rules and regulations and do everything possible to ensure that your visitors do the same.
4. Be considerate of other patients and hospital staff and employees.
5. Meet your financial commitment to Hartford HealthCare. Payment plans and financial assistance available for those who qualify.
6. Take reasonable measures to protect your personal belongings.