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Patient Rights & Values
The employees, physicians and volunteers of The Ottawa Hospital are committed to providing each patient with the world-class care, exceptional service and compassion that we would want for our loved ones. We hold ourselves accountable to high standards that are observable, measurable and apply to all departments and every role across our hospital.
The Ottawa Hospital believes that each person is a unique individual whose nature is physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and social, and who is entitled to dignity and respect, regardless of circumstances or condition.
According to this philosophy, you — the patient — have the right to:
- receive courteous, competent and timely care;
- receive complete and current information regarding all aspects of your care in a manner that you understand;
- participate in the health care team in developing a treatment or care plan that addresses your needs;
- obtain a second medical opinion;
- expect that information gathered concerning your care will be treated in a confidential manner;
- if you wish, designate a person to represent or support you in making decisions about your treatment or care;
- become informed of the names and functions of all members of your health care team;
- be informed of the hospital policies that apply to you;
- express your concerns and receive a timely response;
- refuse treatments, except in circumstances stipulated by law (for example, for certain communicable diseases) and be informed of any possible medical consequences of such refusal;
- be acknowledged in the language of your choice (English or French); the hospital will provide, if possible, the services of an interpreter to ensure that communication with members of the health care team is possible.
As a patient, it is your responsibility to:
- provide accurate information about your past illnesses, previous hospitalizations and medications;
- be considerate of other patients’ rights and property and ensure that you respect the hospital’s policies, particularly with respect to noise and the smoking policy;
- treat those who look after your needs with courtesy and kindness, always understanding that their obligations toward other patients may limit their availability to you;
- ask questions about instructions received if these are not clear or cannot be followed;
- cooperate fully with hospital and medical staff to ensure the economical use of hospital facilities;
- inform your physician or your nurse if you are pregnant or if you suspect such a condition, so that they may consider the possible effect of certain tests or treatments prescribed;
- respect the drug and alcohol policy of the hospital which states that bringing or consuming non-prescribed drugs or alcohol in the hospital is strictly forbidden;
- respect hospital rules and regulations communicated to you;
- arrange settlement of any portion of your account not covered by your health insurance plan before leaving the hospital.
In keeping with the Ontario Government’s Excellent Care for All Act (ECFAA), The Ottawa Hospital is pleased to share its Patient Declaration of Values, which was created by patients, for patients.
The Declaration was developed by The Ottawa Hospital’s patient and family advisors and is an essential tool in our commitment to patient-centred care. It puts patients first by clearly stating the expectations within a health-care setting, and providing staff with a framework for care that reflects the values that matter most to patients and their families.
Click on the image below to view The Ottawa Hospital’s Patient Declaration of Values.
Last updated on: December 23rd, 2024