Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The HIPAA Privacy Rules establish detailed requirements for the use and disclosure of an individual's protected health information by health organizations and health providers. For additional information on this Act established in April 2003, click on the link below for the brochure.

Download the HIPAA Brochure >>

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations conducts accreditation surveys on an unannounced basis. The purpose of a survey is to evaluate the organization’s compliance with nationally established Joint Commission standards. The survey results are used to determine whether, and the conditions under which, accreditation should be awarded to the organization. Joint Commission standards deal with organization quality, safety-of-care issues, and the safety of the environment in which care is provided.

Any employee who has concerns about patient care and safety in the hospital is encouraged to contact Joint Commission’s Office of Quality Monitoring by either calling 1-800-994-6610 or emailing complaint@jcaho.org. Bon Secours will take no disciplinary action because an employee reports safety or quality of care concerns to the Joint Commission.

Financial Assistance with Hospital Bill

The Bon Secours Financial Assistance Program aids uninsured patients who do not qualify for government-sponsored health insurance and cannot afford to pay for their medical care. Insured patients may also qualify for the Bon Secours Financial Assistance Program depending upon family income, family size and medical needs.

In addition to the Bon Secours Financial Assistance Program, Bon Secours offers a Community Service Adjustment to our uninsured patients and their families. The Community Service Adjustment is an offset to the cost of healthcare and will result in a reduction to the gross charge amounts. The adjustment reflects an ongoing commitment by Bon Secours to the communities we serve.

For additional information please inquire with a Financial Counselor at any facility.

Memorial Regional Medical Center
(804) 764-6829

Richmond Community Hospital
(804) 225-1721

St. Francis Medical Center
(804) 594-7970

St. Mary's Hospital
(804) 281-8365

Download our Financial Assistance Brochure >>

Patients’ Rights and Responsibilities

It is the policy of Bon Secours Richmond Health System to provide care appropriate to patient needs regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, sexual orientation or the ability to pay. Bon Secours carries out this policy by acknowledging patient rights, clarifying patient responsibilities and creating a community of care among our professional healthcare staff. At Bon Secours, we consider our patients to be partners in their healthcare.

Patients at a Bon Secours Facility have a right to

• receive care in a safe setting that is reasonable and appropriate to their needs.
• care that is considerate and respectful of their personal values and beliefs and that is consistent with the mission and values of Bon Secours Health System.
• expect their pain to be assessed and treated in a manner respectful of their needs and desires.
• know the identity and professional status of the individuals who are directly responsible for their care.
• be informed about their diagnosis, treatment plans and prognosis as well as their participation in investigational studies or clinical trials prior to any procedure or treatment; the information is to be communicated in a method that is understandable to patients.
• participate in decisions regarding their care, including the right to accept or refuse treatment to the extent permitted by the law and the moral tradition of the Catholic Church, and to be informed of the medical consequences related to their actions; this includes the right to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatments.
• participate in the resolution of ethical questions that may arise during the course of their care.
• make an advance directive, i.e., a living will, or they may designate someone to make choices about their medical care for them, to include or exclude family members, in making those choices in the event they are unable to speak for themselves.
• review their medical records with their physician and have the information explained.
• request a second opinion about their diagnosis or treatment plan or change physicians during the course of their illness.
• expect that communications and records concerning their care will be treated in a confidential manner.
• know the hospital rules and regulations that affect their behavior and the behavior of their family and visitors.
• know what resources exist if they have questions or concerns about their care or need prompt resolution of a grievance. They may contact Patient Advocacy for this information or they may call the Virginia Department for Quality Healthcare Services and Consumer Protection.
• access protective services as provided by law.
• participate in their discharge planning.
• have their bill explained to them regardless of the source of payment.

Patients at a Bon Secours Facility have the responsibility to:

• provide their care takers with as complete and as accurate information about their illness as possible; this includes information about past illnesses, hospitalizations and medications.
• make known whether or not they understand the proposed procedures or treatment plans and to follow the agreed upon treatment plan.
• be considerate of other patients, the staff, hospital regulations and hospital property.

Partners in Your Care

When you enter a Bon Secours Hospital, we want you to feel welcome and have the best experience possible. You can help by becoming an active partner in your healthcare. Research has shown that patients who are involved in their care tend to get better results.

Speak up. When you ask for an explanation regarding your care, you should be able to understand what has been said. If you do not understand what is being said, ask your doctor or nurse to repeat it in terms that you can understand. Ask your doctor or nurse to write the information down so you can read it later.

Pay attention. If the pills you are being given look different than the pills you take at home, ask the nurse.

Make sure you identify yourself. Make sure the nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers ask you your name and check your armband before they give you a medication or treatment or take you for a test.

Make sure the healthcare team, doctors, nurses, and others wash their hands or use the antibacterial solution before they see you. Don't be afraid to gently remind them.

Have a family member or friend to help you in asking questions if you are not comfortable in doing it yourself.

Be able to describe your symptoms clearly. Always speak up if you are in pain or have a concern.

Know your diagnosis. If you understand your diagnosis and what is being done to treat it, you will be better able to follow instructions and participate in your care.

Take part in planning your care. You and your doctor should agree on what will be done during each step of your care.

Resources:

• Joint Commission - 2008 National Patient Safety Goals
• Institute of Healthcare Improvement
• Virginians Improving Patient Care & Safety

Patients’ Safety Tips

Openly share your health history with your caregiver. This includes the medication you take, any operations you've had, or any allergies you may have. The more your caregiver knows, the more successful your care plan and recovery will be.

Don't recognize a medication? Ask the care giver to check it before you accept it.

Don't understand something about your care? If you have questions or concerns about your condition or treatment options, please be sure to ask.

Help reduce the risk of infection. Remind caregivers to wash their hands before they care for you. Wash your own hands and keep any wounds clean and dry.

Know how to care for yourself at home. Make sure your partner in care learns what to do, too.