Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Peninsula Community Health Services (PCHS) respects each patient and is dedicated to giving the best care possible in a patient centered medical home model of care. Patient Rights and Responsibilities explain what you can expect from us, and in turn, what we expect from you.

As a patient, you have the right to:

• Be treated with respect and dignity in a safe and private setting
• Respect for your cultural, social, spiritual and personal values and beliefs
• Take part in your health care and treatment
• Know the names and professional status of the people caring for you
• Be informed about your illness and treatment, including options for your care and likely outcomes
• Get another opinion about your illness and treatment or change your provider
• Privacy of your health records and the right to give or refuse the release of information, except when required by law
• Know about services available through PCHS
• Be informed of how to access care when the clinic is closed
• Know about legal reporting requirements
• Ask for special arrangements if you have a disability or need an interpreter
• Receive information about living wills and have the intent of your wishes honored, as allowed by law
• Consent to treatment, care, and services as allowed by law
• Refuse treatment, care, and services as allowed by law
• Know the cost of your care and ways you may pay for care
• Refuse to be included in any research program or study
• Receive information about ways of expressing comments and complaints
• Report any issue or concern to Washington State Department of Health at 1-800-633-6828. If you are a Medicare member and have a concern regarding quality of care, you can also contact a federal agency at 1-800-633-4227. Medicare TTY/TTD users can call 1-877-486-2048.
• Receive services without regard to race, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
• Practice your religion of choice as long as the practice does not infringe on the rights and treatment of others or the treatment of services. Individual participants have the right to refuse participation in any religious practice.
• Be reasonably accommodated in case of sensory or physical disability, limited ability to communicate, limited English proficiency, and cultural differences.
• Be treated with respect, dignity, and privacy, except that staff may conduct reasonable searches to detect and prevent possession or use of contraband on the premises.
• Be free of any sexual harassment or exploitation, including physical and financial exploitation.
• Have all clinical and personal information treated in accord with state and federal confidentiality regulations
• Review your clinical record in the presence of the administrator or designee and be given an opportunity to request amendments or corrections.
• Receive a copy of our grievance system procedures upon request and to file a grievance with us or the behavioral health organization (BHO), if applicable, if you believe your rights have been violated.

As a patient, you have the responsibility to:

• Tell your provider about your illness, hospital stays and use of medications
• Ask questions when you do not understand information or instructions about your illness and care. It’s okay to ask questions and expect answers in terms that you can understand.
• Inform your provider if symptoms persist or worsen or you have an unexpected reaction to a medication
• Take medications as prescribed. If taking certain medications, you may be asked to sign and follow a medication agreement.
• Provide insurance information or proof of income and family size when applying for discounts
• Pay your co-pays or sliding fee at time of service
• Show respect to both care givers and other patients
• Cancel or reschedule appointments so that another person may have that time slot
• Only use medications or medical devices prescribed for you
• Voice your concern regarding any part of the care you receive at PCHS. Suggestions and complaints can be reported by filling out a patient comment form available from the front desk at every clinic.