Our Promise - A Patient's Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

We are the doctors, nurses and staff of Decatur Memorial Hospital. These are our promises to you.

  • We will tell you the truth.
  • We will listen to you.
  • You are part of our medical team. We want you to help decide the best ways to take care of you. We want you to help us with your plan of care.
  • You may talk freely with your healthcare team. What you say will not be told to others unless it is important to your care and safety.
  • It is okay to tell us what you do or do not want.

To help us keep our promises to you and to help us with your care, PLEASE be honest with us about the following:

  • Your health and what it was like before now.
  • Any changes you notice about how you are feeling.
  • Any medications you take.
  • Your family's needs or worries.
  • Any religious, cultural or special physical needs.

We will tell you the following:

  • Who we are.
  • What we do at the hospital.
  • Why we have entered your room.
  • Why you are here and your health status.
  • What the healthcare team thinks will help you.

Help in your care by doing the following:

  • Tell us your ideas about how we care for you.
  • Follow the directions of your doctors, nurses and other persons taking care of you.
  • Let us know when you can't follow our directions.
  • Learn what you can do to take care of yourself.
  • Keep your appointments, be on time and let us know if you must change your appointment.

Ask us questions about anything:

  • The papers you are being asked to sign.
  • Any words we use that you do not understand.
  • Why you are here and what we are doing for you.
  • How we can ease your pain.
  • How to get where you want to go in the hospital.

We care about you no matter what:

  • What your race or religion is.
  • If you are a boy or girl, man or woman.
  • Where you were born.
  • What you can or cannot do.
  • What you look like.
  • How much money you have.

While your health is our first concern, you are responsible for your hospital bill. You need to do the following:

  • Find a way to pay your bill as soon as possible.
  • Ask for help if you have a problem paying your bill.
  • Give us any records or forms that your insurance company needs to pay your bill.

We respect you:

  • We will be as gentle as possible when we care for you. We will keep your body covered as much as possible.
  • If you hurt, we will do what we can to help you feel better in a safe way.
  • Your religious, cultural and personal traditions are important to us.
  • Your records will be kept confidential. You may ask to read your chart. If you wish, we will help you understand it.
  • You can request or refuse treatment.
  • If we ask you to be part of an experiment or research, you can say yes or no.
  • We will provide care for you in a safe setting, free from abuse or harassment.
  • You have the right to be free from restraint or seclusion of any form that is not medically necessary.
  • Your family and friends can be with you when the hospital rules say it is okay. If you wish, we will help you limit their visits.

Respect us, other families, and patients by doing the following:

  • Giving other patients and families privacy.
  • Limiting your visitors and having them observe visiting hours.
  • Keeping the volume of your television, radio, tape player and video games to a level that will not bother others.
  • Taking care of hospital property.
  • Not using foul or abusive language.
  • Never hitting or threatening another patient, family member or staff member.

Follow our rules and regulations by doing the following--

  • Using only the medications that your doctors say you should use.
  • Keeping our hospital smoke-free, alcohol-free and free of illegal drugs.
  • Using hospital supplies with care and asking what is your take home.
  • Leaving your valuables at home.
  • Never bringing a weapon into the hospital.

We will help you when you are ready to go home:

  • We will help you and your family learn how to take care of you after you leave the hospital.
  • If you need care that we cannot give, we will help you get safely to a hospital that can give the care you need.
  • If you wish, you can go to another hospital. We will help you figure out how to do this safely.
  • You can leave the hospital even against the advice of your physician.

If you think we have not kept our promises, tell your doctor or nurse so we can work together to solve the problem.

  • If you tell us you are sad or angry about a broken promise, we will still give you good care.
  • If you are concerned about the quality of your care, tell us. We have a way to address your concerns.

We have a special group to help you deal with more difficult decisions. It is called the Ethics Committee. Tell you doctor or nurse if you think this group can be of help to you.

You can have an Advance Directive. If you need help filling out or changing your Advance Directive, tell us. We will help you.

Please contact our Director of Customer Service at 217-876-2007 with any comments or concerns. We will do everyting we can to address your concerns. Please give us a chance to help you. If we can't resolve your concerns, you have the right to contact the Illinois Department of Public Health at 1-800-252-4343.