Patient's Bill of Rights

All patients receiving care from the Institute for Special Surgery are entitled to these rights:

The patient has the right to considerate and responsible care. The care provided will not be affected by race, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion, type of illness, or financial status. Care will be provided in accordance with the Institute of Special Surgery mission statement.
The patient can reasonably expect to obtain from his or her physician complete and current information concerning his or her diagnosis, treatment, and expected outcome in understandable language before consent is given and procedure performed. If a patient is medically unable to receive this information, it will be provided to an appropriate person on the patient’s behalf.
The patient has the right to know by name and specialty, the physician or physicians responsible for coordination of his or her care.
The patient has the right to respect and privacy. Case consultation, physical examinations, and medical treatment are confidential and shall be conducted discreetly.
The patient has the right to privacy and individuality as it relates to his or her social, religious, and psychological well-being.
The patient has the right to expect the facility to make a reasonable response to his or her request for services.
The patient has the right to obtain information as to any relationship of the facility to other healthcare and related institutions insofar as his or her care is concerned.
The patient has the right to obtain information that will include, but not be limited to, available appointment times and physicians.
The patient will be fully informed prior to or at the time of admission, of services available at the facility and/or related charges, including any charges for services not covered by insurance.
The patient will be given the opportunity to participate in planning of his or her medical treatment, including information regarding formation of an advanced directive.
The patient will not be arbitrarily transferred or discharged, but may be transferred or discharged only for medical reasons for his or her or another patient’s welfare. Reasonable advance notice of any transfer or discharge must be given to the patient.
The patient will be free from mental and physical abuse, and free from chemical and physical restraint, except in emergencies or as authorized in writing by his or her physician for a specific and limited period of time, and when necessary to protect the patient from self injury or injury to others.
The patient will be assured confidential treatment of his or her personal and medical records, and may approve or refuse their release to an individual outside the facility except as otherwise provided by law or third-party payment contract as is outlined in the Notice of Privacy Practices that patient receives at time of registration.
The patient may associate and communicate privately with persons of his or her choice.
The patient may meet with representatives and participate in activities of commercial, religious, and community groups at his or her discretion, provided they do not infringe upon the right of privacy of other patients.
The patient shall retain and use personal clothing and possessions as space and medical conditions permit.
The patient will be fully informed before or at the time of admission and during his or her stay at this facility, of the rights and responsibilities set forth in this section and of all the rules governing patient conduct and responsibilities.
The patient can expect to have appropriate management of preoperative and postoperative pain.
Patient is made aware that the Institute of Special Surgery is a joint venture of ownership of the following physicians:
R. Mark Askew
Howard Berglund
Nageswararao Chalasani
James Frisk
Andrew Hvidston
James Johnson
Max Johnson
Philip Johnson
Mark Lundeen
Susan Mathison
Gary Matthys
Matthew Nelsen
J. Donald Opgrande
Lesley Soine
Jeffrey Stavenger
David Wiest
The patient will be encouraged and helped throughout his or her stay in this facility to understand and exercise his or her rights as a patient and as a citizen. To this end, he or she may voice grievances and recommend changes in policy and services to facility, staff, and outside representatives of his or her choice, free from restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal. The facility grievance policy is available for patient review upon request. Grievances/Complaints may be brought to the attention of:
1. ISS Grievance Officer:
  Marilyn Gilbertson, Nursing Director
  1-877-918-5930 or 1-701-271-1045
2. North Dakota State Board of Medical Examiners:
  1-701-328-6500
3. Office of the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman:
  www.cms.hhs.gov/ombudsman/resources.asp
4. Bruce Pritschet, DirectorDivision of Health Facilities
  ND Department of Health
  600 East Blvd. Ave. Suite #206
  Bismarck, ND 58505-0200
  Phone: 1-701-328-2352
  Fax: 1-701-328-1890