Patient Responsibilities

You have responsibilities as a patient.

  • You are responsible for providing information about your health, including past illnesses, hospital stays, and the use of medicine.
  • You are responsible for asking questions when you do not understand information or instructions.
  • If you believe you can’t follow through with your treatment, you are responsible for telling your doctor.
  • This hospital works to provide care efficiently and fairly to all patients and the community. You and your visitors are responsible for being considerate of the needs of other patients, staff and hospital.
  • You are responsible for providing information for insurance and for working with the hospital to arrange payment, when needed.
  • Your health depends not just on your hospital care, but in the long term, on the decisions you make in your daily life. You are responsible for recognizing the effect of your lifestyle on your personal health.

A hospital serves many purposes. Hospitals work to improve people’s health, treat people with injury and disease, education doctors, health professionals, patients, and community members, and improve understanding of health and disease. In carrying out these activities this institution works to respect your values and dignity.