RIGHTS OF
PATIENTS
The Student Health Center of New Mexico State University adopts and
affirms as departmental policy the following rights and responsibilities
of patients who receive services at our facility. This policy affords
you, the patient, the right to:
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considerate and respectful care;
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the identity and function, upon request, of all healthcare personnel; and
healthcare institutions authorized to assist in your treatment;
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obtain from the person responsible for your healthcare, complete and current
information concerning your diagnosis, treatment, and expected outcome
in terms you can reasonable be expected to understand. When it is
not medically advisable to give such information to you, the information
shall be made available to an appropriate person on your behalf;
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receive information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start
of any procedure and/or treatment except for
emergency situations. This information shall include, as a minimum,
an explanation of the specific procedure or treatment itself, its value
and significant risks, and an explanation of other possible treatment methods,
if any;
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information regarding advanced directives and/or ethical issues of patient
care;
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refuse treatment and to be informed of the medical or other consequences
of your action;
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privacy to the extent consistent with adequate medical care. Case
discussions, consultations, examination and treatment will be confidential
and conducted discreetly;
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privacy and confidentiality of all records pertaining to your treatment,
except as otherwise provided by law or third party payment contract, and
as outlined in the Notice of Health Information Practices;
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a reasonable response to your request for services customarily rendered
by this facility, and consistent with your treatment;
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expect reasonable continuity of care and to be informed by the person
responsible for your healthcare of possible continuing healthcare requirements
following discharge, if any;
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refuse to participate in research. Human research affecting care
or treatment shall be performed only with your informed consent;
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upon request, examine and receive an itemized explanation of your bill,
regardless of source of payment;
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upon request, review with a practitioner your medical records, as needed,
and by paying appropriate charges, receive a copy of your medical record;
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know the facility’s rules and regulations that apply to your conduct as
a patient;
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treatment without discrimination to race, color, religion, sex, national
origin, source of payment, political belief or handicap;
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be given the opportunity to participate in decisions involving your healthcare;
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be informed of your right to change your primary practitioner if other
qualified practitioners are available;
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report an incident of abuse, neglect or
misappropriation of property, i.e., exploitation, (any consumer, employee,
family member, or legal guardian has this right to report) to the NM Department
of Health, either independently or through the licensed health care
facility , by telephone call, written correspondence or other forms of
communication utilizing the DHI Incident Report Form. The Hotline number
for the NM Division of Health Improvement (DHI) is 1-800-752-8649.
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a process of resolving complaints/grievances relating to the quality of
care. When a student/patient complains or has a grievance about the
service rendered, and that complaint is not resolved by the employee the
person first contacts, the person may see the Assistant to the Director
or a Nurse Supervisor, as is appropriate, at the earliest possible time
convenient to both. If the person is not satisfied at this level,
that person may request a meeting with the Director. If the person
with the complaint/grievance is not satisfied with the outcome, after meeting
with these individuals, that person may request a meeting with the Dean of
Students for Student Success. The Dean of Students for Student Success
along with the aggrieved party will determine the time, date and location
of the meeting, and if other persons should be present.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF PATIENTS
It is the responsibility of the patient:
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to provide, as requested, accurate information regarding their identity,
health history, and change of health status while undergoing treatment;
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to let it be known if they do not comprehend their treatment or what is
expected of them in carrying out a plan of care;
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to comply with a plan of treatment recommended by the practitioner, and
to keep follow-up appointments, or to notify the practitioner when unable
to do so;
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to accept any consequence of their own actions if they refuse treatment
or do not carry out a plan of treatment as recommended by the practitioner;
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to see that arrangements are made to take care of their financial expenses
for care;
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to sign a “Refusal of Treatment” form whenever the practitioner providing
the care judges the consequences of refusal of treatment to be substantial;
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to conduct oneself in a respectful manner which gives consideration to
other patients and Student Health Center personnel. Maintaining a
low level of noise, keeping numbers of patient visitors to a minimum, controlling
activity of minor children, and no smoking in the building, are expected
behavior. The Center does not tolerate abusive behavior by patients,
family members or other patient designees. Abusive behavior can result
in denial of service and law enforcement intervention.
Student Health Center
New Mexico State University
Box 30001, MSC 3529
Las Cruces, NM 88003
505-646-1512
6-1512 (On Campus)
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