To participate effectively in decision making, patients must be encouraged to take responsibility for requesting additional information or clarification about their health status or treatment when they do not fully understand information and instructions. Patients are also responsible for ensuring that the health care institution has a copy of their written advance directive if they have one. Patients are responsible for informing their physicians and other caregivers if they anticipate problems in following prescribed treatment. A person s health depends on much more than health care services. Patients are responsible for recognizing the impact of their lifestyle on their personal health.
Patients have a responsibility to follow hospital rules and regulations.
Patients should notify the physician or charge nurse when they do not understand a diagnosis, treatment, or prognosis. Patients must accept their financial obligations associated with their care. Patients should be considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel and to assist in the control of noise, smoking, and the number of visitors they receive. Because Morehead Memorial Hospital cares what happens to you after you leave our hospital, we begin discharge planning at the time of admission. We have a Discharge Planning Team who can help you and your family with arrangements of care following discharge.