Patient Rights and Responsibilities

While you are a patient at Horn Memorial Hospital, you have the right to:

Considerate and Respectful Care

Right to treatment with freedom from any type of discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, sex, creed, national origin, marital status,veteran status, sexual orientation, disability, diagnosis, or source of payment for care.
Right to receive services of your minister, priest, chaplain, or spiritual leader.
Right to voice a complaint or grievance without discrimination or reprisal.
Involvement in the Planning and Implementation of Your Care
Right to have a family member or representative and your own physician notified of your admission to the hospital.
Right to choose a personal physician who has admitting privileges at Horn Memorial Hospital.
Right to know the identity of the healthcare provider responsible for your care, as well as the identity and professional status of others providing services.
Right to receive clear explanations of your condition, the proposed treatments or procedures, the expected outcomes and potential complications of these treatment options, as well as potential outcomes if treatment is refused.
Right to participate in the planning of medical treatment, unless you are judged incompetent or otherwise incapacitated under the Iowa laws.
Right to make choices and the freedom to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law.
Right to consult with a specialist at your request and your expense.
Right to be transferred or discharged only when medically necessary or when such action is determined to be in the best interest of other patients.
Right to refuse to perform services for the facility that are not included for therapeutic purposes in your plan of care.
Right to have a family member or a person appointed by you to act on your behalf if you are unable to make decisions regarding your care.
Right to formulate Advance Directives and have providers comply with them, according to Iowa laws.
Right to be transferred to another provider or healthcare facility if your provider or this healthcare facility cannot respect your advance directive as a matter of "conscience".
Right to request and receive an itemized bill and explanation of the bill.
Right to request and receive information regarding financial assistance.

Privacy, Confidentiality and Security

Right to personal privacy and preservation of dignity.
Right to receive care in a reasonably safe, clean, and secure setting.
Right to be free from all forms of abuse or harassment including freedom from seclusion and any physical or chemical restraints imposed for purposes of discipline or convenience and not required for treatment of medical symptoms.
Right to the confidentiality of your medical records and the right to access the information contained in those records per hospital policy, state and federal law.
Right to associate and communicate privately with persons of your choice, and to send and receive personal mail unopened unless medically contraindicated.
Right to receive visitors of your choice subject to your consent including, but not limited to the following,: a spouse, a domestic partner (including a same-sex domestic partner), any other family member, or friend. You have the right to revoke your consent to visitors at any time during your stay.
Right to have all visitors, designated by you, enjoy visitation privileges that are as unrestricted as those your immediate family members would enjoy.
Right to have visitors that will not be restricted, limited, or otherwise denied based on race, color, national origin, veteran status,religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability unless clinically necessary.
Right to share a room with your spouse if both parties consent ,unless medically contraindicated.
Right to retain and use personal clothing and possessions as space permits, unless medically contraindicated.
It is our desire to protect and promote the rights of our patients. If you think that your rights may have been violated, or if you feel that a problem has not been settled at the time by the staff present, you may initiate a formal complaint by notifying the CEO, CNO, or Compliance Officer. The complaint may be submitted in person, by telephone, or in writing to:

Horn Memorial Hospital
701 East Second Street
Ida Grove, Iowa 51445
712.364.3311

Your complaint will be investigated and you will receive a response within 7 working days.

You also have the right to file a complaint with the State Survey Agency. You may write or call:

Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals
Division of Health Facilities
Lucas State Office Building
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0083
515.281.4115

Patient Responsibilities

While you are a patient at Horn Memorial Hospital, you have the responsibility to:

Provide accurate and complete information regarding your health.
Tell the nurse or doctor when you feel better or worse, especially if there is a sudden change in how you feel.
Ask questions when you do not understand your care or treatment.
Participate in and follow recommended treatment plans.
Follow the hospital's rules and regulations that affect patient care.
Be considerate of the hospital's staff and property.
Be considerate of other patients, including helping to control noise.
Speak up if you have a concern about your safety as a patient.
Promptly meet financial obligations as soon as possible after discharge.