A Patient Advocate is available if you have a special need, questions regarding your rights as a patient, or if your treatment and care are not provided to your satisfaction. The Patient Advocate may be reached at extension 8572. The Patient Advocate’s office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For assistance at other times call the administrative House Supervisor at extension 7800.

Spiritual Healthcare

The philosophy of the Daughters of Charity is not only to meet the physical and emotional needs of our patients, but the spiritual as well. Each patient receives a visit by a hospital chaplain within 24 hours of admission. Chaplains at St. Francis Medical Center also address quality and end-of-life issues from the patient's own values and spiritual perspective, as well as providing information on the Advance HealthCare Directive.

Standards for Privacy of Protected Health Information

You have rights concerning the use of your identifiable health information as described in the Notice of Privacy Practices given to you upon admission. The notice explains your privacy rights in detail and how the hospital may use and disclose your protected information.

Advance Health Care Directive

As a patient, you have the right to accept or refuse medical care. If you ever become unableto choose or communicate your healthcare wishes due to an injury or illness, a document called an Advance Health Care Directive can protect this right by appointing a person of your choice to make healthcare decisions for you. Upon admission you will be asked if you have an Advance Health Care Directive. If provided, it will become a part of your permanent medical record. If you do not have the document with you, you will be encouraged to have a copy of document brought to the hospital as soon as possible. If you have a question about the AdvanceHealth Care Directive, or you would like more information and a copy of an Advance Health Care Directive, please contact Spiritual Care Services at extension 8515.

St. Francis Medical Center may decline to comply with any instruction(s) or decision(s) thatrequire medically ineffective health care or healthcare contrary to generally accepted health care standards (Probate Code Section 4735). Should this occur St. Francis Medical Center will make every effort to transfer you to a facility that can honor your request. Until a transfer is arranged, care will be provided for you.

Bioethics Committee

There may be a time when you are called on to make a difficult health care decision for
yourself or for a loved one. This can often be a confusing, frightening, or painful task.
Increased understanding among patients, families and health care providers may lessen yourfears and help relieve the burden that such difficult decisions may cause.

St. Francis Medical Center has a Bioethics Committee to help you in such circumstances. The Bioethics Committee is a panel of physicians, spiritual care, administrative and lay people, who are prepared to listen and respond to you. They can help get all the facts you need to make a decision. They have been educated in medical ethics and may offer insight and suggestions, but they will not make your decision for you. St. Francis Medical Center abides by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. To contact the Bioethics Committee please call the Director of Spiritual Care and Ethics at extension 8514.

Resolution of Patient Complaints and Concerns

As a patient of St. Francis Medical Center, our goal is to provide care in a manner, which is considerate and respectful of your rights and needs as a patient. If a concern should develop while you are in our medical center, we will make every effort to help resolve it in a timely manner.

We encourage you and your family to inform us of any concerns you may have about the service and the care you receive. We are committed to addressing your concerns promptly. Bringing a concern to our attention will not, in any manner, serve to compromise your care or future access to the services at St. Francis Medical Center. It is important for you to ask questions and participate in your treatment plan whenever possible. We value and respect your role in making decisions regarding your care. You may speak with your physician, nurse or any other member of your healthcare team about your issues and concerns. In the event you do not feel satisfied with their response, you may contact the Patient Advocate's Office at extension 8572.