Dear Patient,
   Thank you for choosing Maine Coast Memorial Hospital to meet your health care needs. Since everyone has a role in making health care safe — physicians, nurses, administrators, technicians, and YOU, our patients — we’d like to help you understand how you can do your part. You are the center of the health care team and can play an important role by becoming an active partner in your health care. This would include…

1. Speaking up when you have questions or concerns.
      Don’t be embarrasses about asking questions. Tell someone if you think they may be making a mistake. Let someone now if you feel unsafe. When you are a patient in the hospital, make sure your caregiver checks your wristband or asks your name before any medication is given or any tests are done.
    

2. Educating yourself about your diagnosis and the medical tests you are having.
      Gather information about your condition. Understand any procedure you are having and the reason for it. Ask for the results of tests or procedures. Should you need to be hospitalized, be sure you receive and understand instructions for follow-up care.
    

3. Participating in ALL decisions about your health care.
      Make sure you are comfortable with any planned treatment. Don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion. Ask your caregiver to explain what the treatment is expected to achieve and if there are any alternative treatments. Make sure you read and understand any forms you are asked to sign.
    

4. Talking with your doctor and health care team.
      Choose a doctor with whom you feel comfortable. Take a trusted friend or family member with you, even to the hospital, so he or she can help you ask questions and understand the information being discussed. If you are a hospital patient, discuss your care and your condition with your nurse, therapist, and doctor. Make sure you understand your condition and treatment plan and what is expected of you. Completely describe your medical history and symptoms to your doctor and nurse.
    

5. Educating yourself about the medications you are taking.
      Tell your doctor and pharmacist about the medicines you are taking including any over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin. Make sure your doctor and pharmacist are aware of any herbal supplements you are taking. If you have allergies, please report these to your doctor and nurse. Read medication labels and informational inserts including any warnings. Keep an updated list of medication you are taking.

Again, thank you for giving us the opportunity to be your partner in your health care.

Sincerely,
MCMH Senior Leadership Team
Douglas Jones, President/CEO
Barbara Beal, RN Vice President, Nursing
Kevin Sedgwick, Vice President/Chief Financial Officer
Karen Dickson, Human Resource Director
Lois Macias, Vice President, Ancillary Services
Dana Fadley, Vice President of Physician Services

Taking Charge of Your Health Care

A Description of Maine Law on Health Care Advance Directives

• Choosing your care.
  When you need medical care, you have the right to make choices about that care. But there may come a time when you are so sick that you can’t make your choices known. You can stay in charge by putting your choices in writing ahead of this time. This is called giving advance directives.

• What is an advance directive?
  Under Maine law, any spoken or written decision or instruction about the health care you want in the future is called an advance directive. You can tell your doctor or family what you want. But it’s best to write it down.
  Advance directives also are sometimes called living wills and durable health care powers of attorney. If you have already signed one, be sure your doctor, your hospital and your family have a copy. If you have not signed a form, you may use the health care advance directive attached here. But you don’t have to.

• Read more about Advanced Directives

Patients’ Rights*

As our patients, you have the right...

• …to considerate and respectful care

• …to reasonable access to care

• …to receive information about your illness, course of treatment, and prospects for recovery in terms that are easily understood

• …to participate in resolving ethical questions about your care

• …to receive information in order to give informed consent

• …to designate a decision maker if you are unable to communicate

• …to refuse even life-sustaining treatment

• …to actively participate in your care

• …to file a complaint and not have your care impacted

• …to an interpreter, if needed

• …to have your pain assessed and managed

• …to direct your care through the use of an advance directive even if you are unable to communicate

• …to have a copy of your rights as a patient

• …to pastoral and spiritual care, if desired

• …to be informed of outcomes of your care, including unanticipated outcomes

• …to access protective services

• …to confidentiality

• …to have palliative care discussed if you desire no further treatment

• …to leave the hospital even against the advice of your physician

• …to be notified of any experimental programs and to decline to participate

• …to receive instructions for care after discharge

• …to receive an explanation of your bill

• …to know the rules and policies that apply to you as a patient

• …to know when visitors, mail, telephone calls, or other communication is restricted and why

• …to have family members participate in your care if desired

• …to know the name of the physician who is primarily responsible for coordinating your care

• …to receive a medical screening examination BEFORE anyone asks how you will pay if you are presented to the hospital for emergency care

*This is not intended to be a complete list of all patient rights.