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Patient Information

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

We strive to care for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of our patients with respect and dignity. In doing so, employees of Palos Community Hospital subscribe to the following rights and responsibilities concerning your care.

Patient Rights

As a patient at Palos Community Hospital, you have a right to:

  • Receive medically appropriate treatment and service, including the assessment and management of pain, consistent with the hospital's mission and capabilities regardless of race, color, national ancestry, age, sex, religious creed, physical or mental disability, or source of payment.
  • Receive care and attention that is respectful and considerate of your individual needs.
  • Know the names of all physicians involved in your care.
  • Privacy. All information and records related to your care are kept confidential.
  • Receive all information regarding the nature of your illness, the course of treatment, risks, options and prognosis, including both anticipated and unanticipated outcomes of treatment.
  • Participate in decisions regarding your care. This includes your right to accept or refuse treatment and the right to formulate an Advance Directive.
  • Have all recommended tests and treatments clearly explained prior to consent for, or refusal of, treatment.
  • Prompt, courteous response to any reasonable request for service.
  • Leave the hospital even if your physician advises against it. If you do so, you must sign a form that relieves the hospital of responsibility for your health.

If you feel that the quality of care is not meeting your expectations or you have a concern or complaint about other services, please let the staff that is caring for you know, and they will attempt to resolve your concerns immediately or refer the matter to their supervisor.

Grievances of a serious nature can be referred to Hospital Administration in writing or verbally. You should receive a response within 7 days. Such grievances should be directed to:

Risk Manager
Palos Community Hospital
12251 South 80th Avenue
Palos Heights, Illinois 60463
708-923-4780

Patient safety or quality of care concerns that remain unresolved by management staff may be reported to The Joint Commission at 1-800-994-6610 or e-mailed to complaint@jointcommission.org

Patients may also contact the Illinois Department of Public Health’s 24-hour, toll-free Central Complaint Registry at 800-252-4343. TTY (hearing impaired use only) at 800-547-0466.

Patient Responsibilities

As a patient of Palos Community Hospital, it is your responsibility to:

  • Provide accurate and complete medical information needed to deliver appropriate care.
  • Participate in your care, and ask questions about your treatment or care when it is not understood.
  • Work with hospital staff to establish a goal of pain relief and a plan to achieve that goal.
  • Comply with the course of treatment you and your doctor have agreed upon.
  • Submit a copy of your Advance Directive, if you have one.
  • Understand and accept the consequences that may result from refusing treatment or failing to follow the recommended course of treatment.
  • Comply with hospital regulations regarding medical care and conduct, which include visiting hours, no smoking and noise.
  • Be considerate of the rights and needs of other patients and hospital staff.
  • Submit all necessary information to ensure processing of hospital bills, make payment arrangements when necessary, and obtain pre-certification from your insurance company for services.