Quincy Medical Center - Patient's Bill of Rights

Home » Patient Guide » Patient's Bill of Rights

Patient's Bill of Rights

Your Rights as a Patient

We at Quincy Medical Center support the rights of our patients. Because we want you to know your rights as a patient, here is a condensed version of the Massachusetts Patients’ Bill of Rights.

We encourage you to take an active role in your plan of care, including understanding your treatment and care.

Patient Rights

QMC is fully committed to respecting your individuality, rights and dignity. We believe that recognizing patient rights contributes to more effective patient care and a more positive experience for patients, physicians and other members of your healthcare team.

You have the right:

To reasonable access to care
To receive non discriminatory, high-quality healthcare services regardless of your religion, race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, handicap, educational background, economic status or ability to pay
To participate in all decisions that affect your health, well-being and care
To appoint a healthcare proxy to participate in making healthcare decisions on your behalf in the event that you become incapable of making or communicating such decisions yourself
If you do not speak English, to have access to interpreter services
If you are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, to have a Certified American Sign Language Interpreter assist you
To be informed of all aspects of your care including your diagnosis, care plan, prognosis, tests, procedures, treatments, medications and follow up care
To know the names, roles, and specialties of all healthcare providers involved with your care
To review your medical record. We recommend doing so in the presence of your doctor so that your questions and concerns can be addressed in a timely manner. You may obtain a copy of your medical record for a reasonable fee. To protect your privacy, such requests must be made in writing and with your signature to: Medical Records Department, Quincy Medical Center, 114 Whitwell Street, Quincy, MA 02169-1899
To request information about alternative treatments for your disease or illness
To obtain a second opinion about your diagnosis and treatment plan
To ensure security, privacy and confidentiality of your protected health information (PHI). Only those who are directly involved in your care and others specifically permitted by law have access to your PHI. Should someone call about your condition, our patient information staff will only provide a general statement of your condition. When family members request more detailed information, we ask that they discuss the specifics of your care with your doctor or nurse in your presence
To receive information about the many ways in which you may receive pain management services
To receive appropriate pain management services
To participate in ethical questions that arise in the course of your care, including issues of conflict resolution, withholding resuscitative services, forgoing or withdrawal of life sustaining treatment and participation in investigational studies or clinical trials
To receive an accommodating and appropriate response to your requests provided they are within the limits of ethical practice and the law
To access protective services such as guardianship, advocacy services, and child or adult protective services
To uphold the dietary, dress-related, and other practices of your individual lifestyle, religion, and culture
To a full explanation of any research study or training program before you agree to participate in it. You have the right to refuse to participate, as well
To refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the possible medical consequences of your decision. You assume responsibility for your actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow professional instructions. If there is a question about your ability to make an informed decision, the hospital may seek judicial guidance. Refusal of a treatment will not jeopardize your access to other medical care
If you leave the hospital against medical advice, you will be asked to sign a form stating that your doctor and/or the hospital is not responsible for any harm caused by your discharge from the hospital
You have the right to a complete explanation of where you are going and why, before you are transferred to another medical facility. All necessary medical information will be forward to any facility to which you are transferred
To obtain a copy of your hospital bill, to have that bill explained to you (regardless of the source of payment), and to have a copy of the bill sent to your attending physician. You also have the right to request and receive information about sources of financial assistance or free healthcare
To request and receive information about QMC’s relationship with other healthcare and educational institutions
To know the hospital rules and regulations that apply to patients

As a QMC patient, we ask that you accept the following responsibilities. This will help us provide the best possible care and will foster an environment of respect and consideration.

Please give your doctors, nurses, therapists and counselors the most accurate information about your medical history, present condition, medications, and other relevant aspects of your health
If your condition changes or if you feel something is “different” about the way you feel, please tell your doctor or nurse right away
If you experience pain, please tell your doctor or nurse and work with them to develop a pain management plan
Please follow your doctors’ and nurses’ instructions. Any requests they make are in the best interest of your health and safety
If you do not understand or have forgotten the instructions given by your caregivers, ask for clarification
If you cannot comply with your doctors’ or nurses’ instructions, please let them know right away
Please follow all hospital regulations
Please be considerate of the rights of other patients and all members of the QMC staff
Please be respectful of others’ personal possessions
Please be respectful of hospital property
Please provide accurate health insurance, managed care, or other financial information so we can work effectively with the necessary organizations to process your bill