Participating in your health care. This includes the right to receive the current and complete information you need in order to accept or refuse a recommended treatment. Emergencies or other circumstances occasionally may limit your participation in a treatment decision. In general, however, you will not receive any medical treatment before you or your legal representative gives informed consent. You have the right to choose the health services you wish to receive, as long as HUHS is able to accommodate your choice. Female rape victims of childbearing age have the right to be promptly offered emergency contraception and to be provided with emergency contraception upon request. All patients have the right to be informed about and refuse to participate in research proposed by your health care provider and to refuse any care or examination when the primary purpose is educational or informational, rather than therapeutic.
Expressing your wishes concerning future care. You have the right to choose a person to make medical decisions for you, if you are unable to do so, and to express your choices about your future care. These choices may be expressed in advance directive documents such as a power of attorney for health care decisions, health care proxy or living will. You should inform your family and your provider of your wishes and give them any documents which describe your wishes concerning future care.
Receiving the medical information you need to participate in your health care. For all patients, this information includes the diagnosis and prognosis of a health concern, problem or issue, evaluation, the recommended treatment, alternative treatments, and the risks and benefits of the recommended treatment. Treatment information includes but is not limited to medically and factually accurate written information about emergency contraception for female rape victims of childbearing age, and complete information on all alternative treatments which are medically viable for patients suffering from breast cancer. For all patients, we will try to make medical information as understandable as possible. You are entitled to interpreter services, if necessary. You also have the right to review and receive copies of your medical records, unless the law restricts our ability to make them available. You have the right to have ethical issues which arise in connection with your health care considered. You have the right to request and receive consultation on your medical condition at HUHS.
Receiving information about the people who provide your health care. You are entitled to know the name and professional status of the individuals who provide service or treatment to you. You have the right to refuse to be examined, observed, or treated by students or any other staff without jeopardizing access to care. Upon your request, HUHS will provide you with an explanation of its relationship and/or your physician’s relationship to another healthcare facility (or HUHS, as applicable) or educational institution as it relates to your care or treatment.
Receiving considerate, respectful care. We respect your personal preferences and values. All reasonable requests will be responded to promptly and adequately within the capacity of our facilities.
Being assured impartial access to treatment. You have the right to all medically indicated treatment, including prompt life-saving treatment, regardless of your race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, cultural background, disability or financial status. In the event we cannot provide necessary life-saving treatment to you, you have the right to prompt and safe transfer to a facility that agrees to treat you.
Maintaining Privacy. You have the right to be treated with respect and recognition of your dignity and need for privacy. We will respect your right to the confidentiality of records and communications relating to your care, and your right to privacy during medical treatment and care. HUHS will not release your medical information without your authorization, except as required or permitted by law or as required in the administration of our agreement with you. Please contact the HUHS Medical Records Department if you would like to request the release of your information. For additional information about your right to privacy, please see our pamphlet, entitled, Harvard University Health Services Notice of Privacy Practices. Harvard College and Harvard Summer School students, in particular, should note that there are special student privacy rights that apply to them and are described in their schools’ student handbooks.
Having a safe, secure, clean and accessible environment. HUHS is a smoke-free facility.
Participating in your health care provider selection. You have the right to select and to change health care providers within HUHS who are qualified and available to provide services to you.
Knowing and using customer service resources. You have the right to know about resources such as member service representatives, and grievances and appeal resources that can help you answer questions and resolve problems. Upon request, you are entitled to receive this information from a designated HUHS representative, as well as any information which HUHS has available relative to itemized bills for services provided to you (including an explanation of such bills and a copy sent to your physician), payment policies, financial assistance, free health care, and any rules or regulations of HUHS which apply to your conduct as a patient. You have the right to discuss your concerns with your doctor, nurse, or the Patient Advocate (495-7583) without concern that your care will be affected.
We welcome your suggestions and questions about HUHS services, the health care professionals providing care, and patients’ rights and responsibilities. Patient Satisfaction Survey forms are available for this purpose and are located at all our clinic locations. You may also send your comments via e-mail to patadvoc@huhs.harvard.edu.