Patients and legal representatives for patients have the right to:
- Receive appropriate home care services and exercise these patient rights without regard to race, age, sex, socio-economic status, educational background, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, medical condition, marital status, registered domestic partner status, genetic information, citizenship, primary language, immigration status (except as required by law) or the source of payment for your care.
- Be treated with respect and courtesy by all employees of HomeCare and have respect for cultural, psychosocial, spiritual and personal values, beliefs and preferences.
- Receive proper identification by name, title and qualifications of the home care provider and the services that each will provide.
- Receive information in a language and method you understand and prefer. If English is not your primary language, language services are available to you. If you have language, vision, speech, hearing, cognitive, or other communication barriers; then special devices, translation services and aids, are available free of charge.
- Receive written and verbal information on rights and responsibilities regarding HomeCare. Receive information regarding Rady Children’s HomeCare policies and procedures, including home health transfer and discharge, ownership, control, and any financial benefits from referrals to other home care providers when appropriate.
- Receive information in writing and verbally regarding billing procedures and the extent insurance payment may be expected, prior to beginning services, a change in services, or prior to next home health visit, regardless of payment source and discuss options for payment.
- Be advised in writing and verbally of any changes in insurance coverage when HomeCare becomes aware of any non-covered care, reduction in care, or inability to obtain authorization for services, which may lead to termination of care.
- Be informed by the physician regarding the patient’s health status, course of treatment, and expected recovery potential.
- Participate in the development of and revisions to the home health plan of care and receive all services outlined in the home health plan of care
- Give informed consent or refuse care prior to completion of any assessments, care to be furnished, updates to the plan of care, discuss expected outcomes including patient identified goals, risks and benefits, any factors that impact achieving treatment goals, alternatives to care if any, or any changes in care; and when applicable give special consent for research and experimental treatment.
- Receive timely, appropriate, and safe care to meet patient needs, including assessment and management of pain.
- Request or refuse all or part of prescribed care to the extent permitted by law and HomeCare policy, and to be informed of the consequences of refusing treatment.
- Be informed in a timely manner regarding changes in care, level of care, transfer to another agency, impending discharge, continuing care requirement, or inability of HomeCare to provide prescribed services.
- Receive privacy, security, and confidentiality, and have your property respected.
- Have a confidential medical record available for your review upon request. Receive information that explains your privacy rights and how Rady Children’s HomeCare may use and disclose your protected health information.
Patients and legal representatives for patients have the right to (Continued):
- Be protected from and free of real or perceived verbal, mental, sexual and physical abuse including injuries of unknown source, neglect, exploitation, harassment and misappropriation of property by anyone, including staff, students, volunteers or family members. Any allegations shall be evaluated, resolved timely, and if necessary reported according to law and regulation.
- Be informed that there are exceptions to informed consent that can include: mandated reporting by law and regulation of neglect and abuse, or reporting of communicable diseases.
- Provide for a legal representative to give informed consent, and respect a legal representative’s decision to refuse care, treatment or services. All patients’ rights apply to the person who has legal responsibility to make decisions regarding medical care.
- Be assured that the patient, legal representative, family or patient designated representative (when chosen) will be informed about the patient’s medical condition, changes in the assessment or plan of care in order to understand and fully participate in the care.
- Formulate advance directives. This includes designating a decision maker if you become incapable of understanding a proposed treatment or become unable to communicate your wishes regarding care.
- Make complaints regarding treatment or services that have been provided or failed to be provided and the lack of respect for property or person by anyone providing HomeCare services or on behalf of HomeCare without fear of discrimination, reprisals, or unreasonable interruption of services.
- Have complaints to Rady Children’s HomeCare or regulatory agency reviewed, and resolved as applicable. Be advised of The Joint Commission Hotline and the toll-free Home Health Agency hotline in California and be given in writing: telephone numbers, addresses, hours of operation, and the purpose of both agencies to receive questions and complaints about home care.
- Be advised of federally and state-funded advocacy agencies that serve the county where the patient resides.
Patients and legal representatives for patients have the responsibility to:
- Keep appointments or notify HomeCare promptly when you cannot keep a scheduled appointment or home visit.
- Give complete information about your/ your child’s health, past and present, and report any treatment he/she may be receiving and all medication he/she may be using.
- Inform HomeCare and ask questions if you do not understand any information or instructions pertaining to your or your child’s health care.
- Cooperate, communicate, and work closely with physicians and Rady Children’s HomeCare, and follow the treatment plan to the fullest extent possible.
- Accept responsibility for consequences and outcomes of care if you choose not to follow the treatment plan.
- Provide a safe environment for the HomeCare staff visiting your home, be considerate of HomeCare staff, protect HomeCare equipment and property, and follow HomeCare policies and procedures.
- Provide timely and accurate information and all changes to contacts and current insurance information to enable HomeCare to provide care and obtain payment for services provided on your behalf.
- Meet any financial obligations agreed to with HomeCare in a timely manner.
Language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 858-966-4096.
Updated January 2018