New Hampshire Home Care Patient Rights + Responsibilities

• The patient has the right to be treated with consideration, respect, and full recognition of the patient’s dignity and individuality, including privacy in treatment and personal care and respect for personal property including being informed of the name, licensure status, staff position and employer of all persons with whom the patient or resident has contact.
• The patient has the right to receive appropriate and professional care without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or age, nor shall any such care be denied on account of the patient’s sexual orientation.
• The patient has the right to participate in the development and periodic revision of the plan of care, and to be informed in advance of any changes to the plan or intent to discharge.
• The patient has the right to be informed that care is evaluated through the provider’s quality assurance program.
• The patient has the right to refuse treatment within the confines of the law, to be informed of the consequences of such action, and to be involved in experimental research only upon the patient’s voluntary written consent.
• The patient has the right to voice grievances and suggest changes in service or staff without fear of restraint, discrimination, or reprisal. The patient has the right to voice grievances regarding treatment or care that is furnished or regarding the lack of respect for property by any employee of Tuft Medicine Care at Home and will not be subject to discrimination or reprisal for doing so. The agency will investigate all complaints, documenting both the existence of the complaint and the resolution of the complaint.
• The patient has the right to be free from emotional, psychological, sexual, and physical abuse and from exploitation by any home health care provider.
• The patient has the right to be free from chemical and physical restraints except as authorized in writing by a physician.
• The patient has the right to be ensured of confidential treatment of all information contained in the patient’s personal and clinical record, including the requirement of the patient’s written consent to release such information to anyone not otherwise authorized by law to receive it. Medical information contained in the patient’s record shall be deemed to be the patient’s property and the patient has the right to a copy of such records upon request and at a reasonable cost.
• The patient has the right to be informed in advance of the charges for services, including payment for care expected from third parties and any charges the patient will be expected to pay.
• The patient has the right to discuss concerns for their treatment with the Director at 1.800.933-5593, if they feel the issue cannot be addressed with the primary nurse or therapist. If the patient does not feel satisfied with this response, complaints may be lodged by calling the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Acentra at 888.319.8452 (Medicare patients).

If you wish to file a complaint against our agency, which is a Certified Health Facility in the State of New Hampshire, please contact: NH Department of Health & Human Services Health Facility Certification Unit, 129 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301-3857 Telephone: 603.271.9049; toll free 1.800.852.3345; Home Health Hotline 1.800.621.6232 or e-mail: DHHS.HFA-Certification@dhhs.nh.gov

Responsibilities

• The patient and/or family or the patient’s legal representative has a responsibility to provide accurate and complete health information.
• The patient and/or family has a responsibility to create and maintain an environment that is safe and free from sexual or other forms of harassment by anyone in the home. For the purposes of this subparagraph, an environment is unsafe if conditions in and around the home imminently threaten the safety of the home health care provider or jeopardize the home health care provider’s ability to provide care.
• The patient and/or family agree to participate in developing and following the plan of care.
• The patient and/or family will request information about any care or services that is not understood, and will express concerns regarding services provided.
• The patient and/or family will notify your nurse or other providers when you are unable to keep an appointment for a home care visit.
• The patient and/or family will inform your nurse or other providers of the existence of, and any changes made to, advance directives.
• The patient and/or family will give the agency complete information about any medical services being provided and as well as any physicians and facilities that are providing care.
• The patient and/or family will inform the nurse or physician about previous medical advice and all medications or treatment being followed.
• The patient and/or family will inform the nurse or physician of changes in your health care or about any reactions to medications and treatment.
• The patient and/or family recognize that they are responsible for reimbursement to the agency for services provided when third party insurers 
  are unavailable.
• The patient and/or family will inform your nurse or other health care providers if you are no longer homebound.
• The patient and/or family will ask questions or acknowledge when they do not understand the treatment course or care decisions.
• The patient and/or family agree to follow agency instructions, policies, rules, and regulations that are designed to support quality care and a safe environment.
• The patient and/or family agree to support mutual consideration and respect by maintaining civil anguage and conduct in interactions with staff 
  and licensed independent practitioners.