Skip to Site Navigation Memorial Health System | Memorial Hospital for Children | Foundation | PhysicianLink

Rights & Responsibilities

We view ourselves as your partner in your health care.As such we believe and are committed to supporting your rights as a patient. But, we need your help. As such we’ve outlined a list of patient responsibilities that you should be aware of. See more below:

Patient Rights

You have the right….

1. To have Memorial Health System respond to your requests and needs for treatment or service, provided that space is available, and to receive the care that reflects your interests and that has been determined by your physician, podiatrist or dentist and respects your advance directives or your rights to formulate advance directives
2. To be informed of the right to care that is respectful, recognizes dignity and is private to the extent possible
3. To have your care information treated confidentially, based on applicable laws and regulations
4. To be involved in making decisions regarding your care, including assessment and management of pain
5. To be given information in the language you understand or to have the information interpreted
6. To give informed consent (which means to make decisions in collaboration with your physician that involve your health care). Consent may be given by you or your legal representative. In order to give consent, you will be provided information to include

a. An explanation of recommended treatments or procedures in terms that are understandable
b. An explanation of the risks and benefits of treatment, including the chance of success, mortality risks and serious side-effects
c. An explanation of the alternatives and the risks and benefits of such
d. An explanation of the likely consequences if no treatment is pursued
e. An explanation of the recuperative period, including anticipated problems and anticipated length of recuperation
f. An explanation that you or your legal representative is free to withdraw consent and discontinue participation in treatment
g. A disclosure statement that your physician, dentist or podiatrist is participating in teaching, research, experimental or education projects related to your case

7. To an explanation of admission procedures upon admission which shall include disclosure of the hospital’s policy statement on patient rights which shall include

a. The right to participate in all decisions involving care or treatment consistent with state and federal statues
b. The right to refuse any drug, test, treatment or procedure consistent with state and federal statues including likely medical consequences of such refusal
c. The right to receive considerate and respectful care in a clean and safe environment, free of unnecessary restraint
d. The right to be informed of the hospital’s rules and regulations applicable to you
e. The right to be informed of the hospital’s grievance procedure; a patient representative can be reached by calling the hospital operator at “0” or by dialing (719) 365-5621
f. The right to file a grievance with the appropriate state agency
**The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek Dr. South, Denver, CO 80222; Phone: (303) 692-2800

8. To know names, professional status and experience of the staff providing care or treatment
9. To be informed prior to the initiation of general billing procedures:

a. Prior to the initiation of non-emergency treatment, upon request, you have the right to be informed of routine, usual or customary charges or estimated charges for service based on an average patient with a diagnosis similar to your tentative admission diagnosis.
b. If you have questions, you can call 365-2138 or 365-2353 for medical cost information between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.
c. Based on insurance information you provide, the hospital shall provide assistance as needed with estimates of co-payments, deductibles or other charges that must be paid by you. You can get this assistance weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. by calling Patient Financial Services at 365-5242.
d. The hospital may include a disclaimer with the disclosure of any charges. Such disclaimer may include further variables which may alter any disclosed charge. Any charges prohibited by law or a third party payor contract will include a no-charge disclaimer in the disclosure.

10. To be provided with information regarding teaching, research, education or experimental projects related to your care, regardless of whether your care is provided by a physician, podiatrist or dentist. You have the right to refuse to participate in such projects.
11. To have your medical records maintained in confidence and in accordance with the medical staff bylaws, rules and regulations. You have the right to have access to your medical records by contacting Medical Information Services at 365-5272.
12. To choose your post-hospital care provider. As part of the discharge planning process, Memorial Hospital will not specify or limit any qualified agency that may provide post-hospital home health or other services in compliance with the Patient Choice Law. Hospital staff will assist patients and families with information about care providers or available services.

Patient Responsibilities

You have the responsibility….

1. To provide the hospital with accurate and complete information about your present complaints and your past health history
2. To be considerate of other patients, physicians and hospital personnel
3. To show respect for the belongings of others and hospital property
4. To discuss your health problems with only those involved in your care
5. To request your records through Medical Information Services following hospital procedures
6. To inquire as to the name and purpose of any personnel caring for you
7. To say whether or not you understand a contemplated course of treatment and your obligations in the administration of the treatment
8. To cooperate with any research or experimental project in which you consent to participate
9. To inform staff that translation is required
10. To be cooperative during recommended diagnostic treatment