As a patient of Kingston Health Sciences Centre you have the following rights and responsibilities:
Dignity and respect
- Be treated with respect and courtesy regardless of my age, gender, gender identity, race, culture, spiritual traditions, sexual orientation or disabilities.
- Have my input and choices, including the choice to live at risk, respected by my care team.
Safe care and informed treatment
- Receive safe, accessible care in a setting free of prejudice, harassment, neglect or abuse.
- Know the names and roles of the members of my care team.
- Receive information about my care in a language I understand.
- Receive reliable and current information that helps me to make informed choices about treatment, including the health risks and benefits of my decisions.
- Participate in decisions about my treatment and discharge planning.
- Give or refuse consent for any treatment or procedure, and for any reason.
- Be informed if an unintended or unexpected outcome occurs during my care.
- Take part in or refuse to take part in research or clinical trials.
Privacy and confidentiality
- Have my privacy respected and have my personal health information held in confidence.
- Have access to my medical records and be able to request a correction if necessary.
Have a substitute decision maker
- Have someone who can act on my behalf if I cannot make care decisions for myself.
Have access to a feedback and complaint process
- Have a say about my care and receive a timely response to any concerns or complaints.
As a patient I am responsible for:
Participating in my care
- Providing complete and correct information to my care team.
- Asking questions and stating any concerns about my treatment or care.
- Participating in decisions about my treatment and discharge planning. If I believe I can’t follow through with my treatment plan, I’m responsible for telling my care provider.
- Recognizing the risks or consequences of refusing treatment and/or leaving the hospital against my caregiver’s advice.
Identifying and preparing my substitute decision maker
- Making sure that the person I’ve chosen to make my care decisions if I cannot make them myself knows and understands my wishes.
Respecting others
- Treating my care team, hospital staff and other patients and their families with respect.
- Recognizing that the needs of other patients may sometimes be more urgent than my own.
- Observing hospital policies and practices, such as hand washing to ensure good infection control.
If you feel that your patient rights have been violated please contact your care team or ask to speak with the Program Manager.
