Patient Rights

We at Wilbarger General are dedicated to helping you get well and part of that is making sure your time here is a safe and positive experience, and that your wishes and privacy are honored. As our patient you have certain rights in how you receive care and how we communicate your private health information. By making you aware of these rights we hope we can make your experience as pleasant and healing as possible.

We provide inpatient and outpatient care on a non-discriminatory basis. All patients are admitted and receive care without regard to race, color, creed, disability, religion, sex, national origin or economic status.

Here are your rights when it comes to receiving care at Wilbarger General. Please do not hesitate to ask questions if you do not understand this information or have concerns.

1. You have the right to access treatment and accommodations that are available and medically indicated, regardless of age, race, creed, sex, national origin, political beliefs, handicaps or payment for care.
2. You have the right to a complete explanation of the reason of transfer to another facility.
3. You have the right to complete explanations of any continuing health care requirements following discharge from the hospital.
4. You have the right to know the professional status of the person taking care of you.
5. You have the right to know who your primary care physician is.
6. You have the right to current and complete information concerning your diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis to the degree known.
7. You have the right to be informed in a language you can understand.
8. You have the right to make an informed consent based on a clear, concise explanation of your condition and all proposed procedures, including risks, side effects, mortality, problems related to recuperation and probability of success.
9. You have the right to refuse treatment, to the extent permitted by law.
10. You have the right to be informed if the hospital proposes to engage in experimental research and educational studies affecting your care. This information will include the expected benefit of the procedure, potential risks and discomforts, the advantage of alternative services, explanation of the procedure and the option to refuse to participate in such activity.
11. You have the right to designate an individual to act as your decision-maker for health care purposes.
12. You have the right to participate in resolving dilemmas in your care.
13. You have the right to complete confidentiality, security and personal privacy.
    1. You or your authorized representative has the right, within the law, to personal and information privacy.
    2. You have the right to refuse to talk with or see anyone not officially connected to the hospital, including visitors or persons officially connected to the hospital but not directly involved in your case.
    3. You have the right to wear appropriate personal clothing and religious items as long as they do not interfere with diagnostic tests or treatment.
    4. You have the right to be interviewed and examined in an area designed to assure reasonable visual and auditory privacy. This includes the right to have a person of your own sex present during certain parts of a physical examination, treatment or procedure performed by a healthcare professional of the opposite sex. You have the right not to be disrobed any longer than is required to accomplish the medical tasks for which you have been asked to disrobe.
    5. You have the right to expect that all communications and records pertaining to your care including the source of payment for treatment will be treated as confidential.
    6. You have the right to request a transfer to another room if another patient or visitor is unreasonably disturbing you.
14. You have the right to expect reasonable safety insofar as the hospital practices and environment are concerned.
15. You have the right to clergy visits, anytime, when requested.
16. You have the right to access to people outside the hospital by means of visitors and by verbal and written communication.
17. You have the right to have support persons* present while hospitalized subject to certain exceptions to ensure the care of our patients and the safety of patients and staff.
18. You have the right to an interpreter.
19. You have the right to protective services should you request them.

*A spouse, family member, same-sex partner, friend, or other individual who supports the patient during his or her hospital stay and may exercise the patient’s visitation rights on his or her behalf. There is no limit on who may be designated a support person by the patient – there is no restriction based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.