Please note that we are seeing high patient volumes in the emergency department. Learn more >>.

Know before you go to the ER
Select the search type
  • Site
  • Web
Go

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Thank you for choosing Barnes-Jewish Hospital for your health care needs. As you receive care from us, you have certain rights and responsibilities. They are explained in this information sheet. If you need help understanding it, or would like more information, please talk with a member of your health care team.

It is important for you, along with a trusted friend or family member of your choice, to be involved in your health care. You and your support person can play an active role by speaking openly with your health care team so we can provide safe, quality care. When concerns come up about your care or treatment, or if you feel your needs are not being met, please talk with a member of your health care team. We are here to help!

Patient Rights

Decisions and Information

As a patient, you have the right to:

  • Have a person of your choice and your doctor told promptly of your admission to the hospital.

  • Receive information that you can understand in a clear and complete way.

  • Be informed about your health condition, treatment options, and both expected and unexpected outcomes.

  • Be involved in planning your care while you are in the hospital and after you leave.

  • Participate in decisions about your care.

  • Give permission for loved ones of your choice to participate in decisions about your care.

  • Request, accept, or refuse treatments as allowed by hospital policy and the law.

  • Have an interpreter help you understand important information about your care.

  • All patients rights are supported without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, education or source of payment.

  • Receive information before agreeing or refusing to take part in a research study.

Advance Directives

As a patient, you have the right to:

  • Create an Advance Directive that states your wishes for health care decisions when you cannot speak for yourself.

  • Have the health care team follow your Advance Directive to the extent allowed by hospital policy and the law.

  • Request a consult from the Ethics Committee to assist you in making hard decisions about your care.

Safety
As a patient, you have the right to:

  • Receive quality care in a safe setting.

  • Be free from all forms of abuse, neglect, and harassment.

Providers of Care
As a patient, you have the right to:

  • Know the names and duties of the health care team members caring for you.

Privacy (Confidentiality)
As a patient, you have the right to:

  • Personal privacy including private discussions about your condition or treatment.

  • Have your medical records kept private and only shared with your health care team and those who can legally read them.

  • Request and review your medical records.

  • Refuse to see or talk with anyone not directly involved in your care.

Pain Management
As a patient, you have the right to:

 

  • Have your pain addressed and be involved in decisions about how to manage your pain.

 

Billing

As a patient, you have the right to:

  • Receive information about your health care costs and bills.

  • Receive information when your health care benefits have been canceled.

Restraints and Seclusion
As a patient, you have the right to:

  • Be free from restraints or seclusion unless medically required to keep you or others safe.

  • Safe use of restraints or seclusion by trained staff when needed.

  • Be free from any type of restraint or seclusion put in place as a means of intimidation, punishment, convenience, or revenge by staff.

Visitors
As a patient, you have the right to:

  • Designate those who you wish and do not wish to visit you, and you can change your mind at any time. If you cannot speak for yourself, a support person or your legal representative may decide for you.

  • Visitors may include anyone that you prefer or designate as a support person, including but not limited to, a spouse, other family members, a domestic partner (including a same-sex domestic partner) or friends. We will not place restrictions or limitations on your visitors on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. Consistent with your preferences, all visitors will enjoy full and equal visitation privileges.

  • In balancing all aspects of care for all patients, it may be necessary to limit or restrict your visitors. We will strive to explain the reason(s) to you if these restrictions are needed, which might include (but are not limited to) situations such as: when you or other patients are undergoing care or have specific medical concerns; when there is a risk of infection or contagious disease; for safety concerns related to other patients, visitors or those working in the facility; to establish hours for visitation for specific patient care units, including limits on the number of visitors or on the ages of child visitors.

Concerns
As a patient, you have the right to:

  • Voice concerns about the care you receive. Please share your concerns with your doctor or nurse and/or you may submit your concerns in writing.

  • If you have a concern and are unable to resolve it with your doctor or nurse, you may call the Office of Patient & Family Affairs at 314-362-6100.

  • If we are unable to resolve your concerns, you may contact the following groups:

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
912 Wildwood Drive
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(800) 392-0210
[email protected]

 Missouri Patient Protection Advocacy Agency
925 S. Country Club Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(800) 392-8667

 Joint Commission Office of Quality Monitoring
1 Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
(800) 994-6610
[email protected]

Patient Responsibilities

Speaking Up
As a patient, you have the responsibility to:

  • Ask questions if you do not understand information given to you.
  • Help your health care team plan the care you will need after you leave the hospital.
  • Choose a person to speak for you in the event that you are unable to speak for yourself.
  • Speak up if you feel at risk for harm.

Pain Management
As a patient, you have the responsibility to:

  • Work with your doctor and nurse to develop a plan to manage your pain.

Hospital Rules
As a patient, you have a responsibility to:

  • Respect the privacy and dignity of other patients and staff members.

  • Respect hospital property and follow hospital rules.

  • Help keep the hospital a safe place, free of drugs, alcohol, and weapons.

  • Avoid smoking, as hospital buildings and grounds are tobacco-free.

Information
As a patient, you have a responsibility to:

  • Provide a correct and complete medical history.

  • Provide correct and complete information about your Advanced Directive.

  • Provide correct and complete information to assure that your bills can be paid when due.

Following Instructions
As a patient, you have the responsibility to:

  • Follow health care instructions in the hospital and after you leave.
Find a doctor or make an appointment: 866.867.3627
General Information: 314.747.3000
One Barnes-Jewish Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63110
© Copyright 1997-2024, Barnes-Jewish Hospital. All Rights Reserved.