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Patient Rights and Responsibilities

The Surgery Center complies with applicable Federal Civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, personal values, national origin, age, disability, sex, or source of payment. As our patient, you are entitled to safe, considerate, respectful and dignified care at all times.

As our patient at The Surgery Center, you have the right to:

  • Receive care in a safe setting, free from any form of abuse or harassment.
  • Receive appropriate assessment and management of pain.
  • Have a family member or representative of your choice and your personal physician promptly notified if you are admitted to the hospital.
  • Receive treatment free from restraints or seclusion unless clinically necessary to provide acute medical, surgical or behavioral care.
  • Change your provider if other qualified providers are available.
  • Exercise your rights without being subjected to discrimination or reprisal.

You are entitled to personal and informational privacy as required by law. This includes your right to:

  • Know the identity, professional status, role and business relationship of all those involved in your care.
  • Undergo examinations in reasonably private visual and auditory surroundings.
  • Request that a person of your own gender be present during physical examinations.
  • Review or obtain copies of your medical and financial records.
  • Obtain a list of certain disclosures of your medical information made in accordance with state and federal laws.
  • Request an amendment to your medical records if you believe information is not correct.
  • Have your medical records read and discreetly discussed only by those directly involved with or related to your care, by anyone to whom you have given permission, by those who have legal custody, or other authorized individuals.
  • Experience confidentiality in all aspects of your care and payment sources.
  • The Surgery Center will involve only those acting in an official capacity for the Center, and will exclude any individuals you choose to exclude.
  • Protective privacy when necessary to provide for your personal safety or for the safety of other patients, visitors, and staff.
  • Preservation of the safety and security of your personal belongings from search or seizure, except for reasonable cause.

As a patient at The Surgery Center, you have the right to:

  • Receive information in a manner tailored to your level of understanding.
  • Be involved in all aspects of your care and to participate in decisions regarding your care. This includes your right to be informed of the diagnosis and prognosis of your condition. When it is medically inadvisable to give such information to you, it will be provided to a person designated by you or to a legally authorized person.
  • Be informed of appropriate treatment options, including their risks and benefits, alternative treatment options, the consequences of no treatment, and the results of medical care provided – including any unanticipated adverse outcomes.
  • Request restrictions on how your medical and financial records are used and shared. However, The Surgery Center may choose not to accept these restrictions if necessary to your care.
  • Have access to appropriate staff for the purpose of reporting suspected child abuse or adult abuse.
  • Communicate with individuals outside the Center.
  • Have access to interpreter services at no cost to you, if you are not fluent in English.
  • You have the choice of using an interpreter of your own, or one supplied by the facility.
  • Have access to auxiliary aids or an assistive animal, if you have an impairment which requires use of these.
  • Refuse treatment (to the extent permitted by law).
  • Examine and receive an explanation of all bills regardless of the source of payment.
  • Request The Surgery Center to communicate with you at an alternative telephone number or address.

You will not be transferred to another facility or location without a complete explanation of the necessity for such an action.

You and your family/guardian have the right to express dissatisfaction regarding the quality of care without jeopardizing future care, including reprisals or discrimination.

You have the right to expect plans for reasonable continuity of care after discharge so that continuing health care needs may be met.

Formal Advance Directives are documents that state your choices for health care. Advance Directives allow you to make known your wishes regarding the medical care you do or do not want to receive if you become too sick to speak for yourself. Procedures in an ambulatory care setting are generally performed to enhance or improve the patient’s quality of life; therefore, it is our policy that if you suffer a cardiac or respiratory arrest or other life-threatening situation, resuscitative measures will be initiated and you will be transferred to a hospital. At the hospital, further treatments or withdrawal of treatment measures will be exercised in accordance with your Advance Directive. The Surgery Center respects your right to make decisions regarding your medical care. If you present an Advance Directive at time of your admission, a copy will be made and become part of your medical record and will be transferred with you to a hospital, if a higher level of care should be required. If you disagree with this policy, please address this issue with your physician prior to your procedure.

As a patient, you are encouraged to promote your own safety by becoming an active, involved and informed member of your health care team. This includes your right to:

  • Ask questions if you are concerned about your health or safety.
  • Verify the site/side of the body that will be operated on prior to the procedure.
  • Remind staff to check your ID before medications are given, blood samples are obtained or prior to an invasive procedure.
  • Remind the caregivers to wash their hands prior to giving care.
  • Be informed about which medications you are taking and why you are taking them.
  • Remember to look for an identification badge to be worn by all Surgery Center employees.

As a patient at The Surgery Center, you are responsible for providing accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications (including over the counter and dietary supplements), allergies, sensitivities, piercings and jewelry, and other matters relating to your health.

As a patient at The Surgery Center, it is your responsibility to:

  • Provide a responsible adult to transport you home from the facility and remain with you for 24 hours, if required by your physician.
  • Ask questions.
  • Follow the treatment plan recommended by your caregivers and ask questions if necessary.
  • Accept personal responsibility if you refuse treatment.
  • Observe the Center’s rules.
  • Adhere to The Surgery Center’s Tobacco Free Policy.
  • Recognize and respect the rights of other patients, families and staff including property.
  • Report perceived risks and unexpected changes in your condition to your health care provider, including those relating to infectious illnesses.
  • Accept financial responsibility for any charges not covered by your insurance.
  • Be respectful of all the healthcare providers and staff, as well as other patients and visitors.
  • Adhere to the facility’s no weapons policy.
  • Keeping appointments and when unable to do so for any reason, notify the Center and your physician.

You are encouraged to ask questions about any of these rights that you do not understand. If you would like to express concerns regarding the quality of care you received at The Surgery Center, contact the Director of Nursing or Administrator. If you have concerns regarding your insurance or financial responsibility, contact the Business Office Manager or Administrator. You will receive a personal response. In the event you are not satisfied with the results internally, the following facilities may be contacted:

Alabama Department of Public Health
201 Monroe Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
1(800)356-9596		 Regional IV Office of Civil Rights
US Dept. of Health and Human Services
Atlanta Federal Center, Suite 3B70, 61 Forsyth St. SW
Atlanta, GA 30303-8909
1(404)562-7886

Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman – https://www.cms.gov/center/special-topic/ombudsman/medicare-beneficiary-ombudsman-home

Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman for Alabama, State Health Insurance Assistance Program – 1(877)425-2243

Medicare Claim Fraud – 1(800)633-4227

Identity Theft Hotline, Federal Trade Commission – 1(877)438-4338

Revised 04/26/2021

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