Patient Rights & Responsibilities
Notice of Patient Rights
To help Cone Health patients and/or their representatives better understand what to expect from Cone Health experts and facilities, we have put together the following information to inform you of your rights and responsibilities at Cone Health. These statements outline the rights for informed decision-making regarding medical treatment, payment, and health information and align with applicable state and federal laws. Our pledge is to provide safe, high-quality care to our patients and the communities we serve. Upholding your rights as a patient is integral to maintaining the standard of excellence in care that we strive for.
Communication and Decision Making
You have the right …
- To know the name, role, and specialty of all people who are providing your care.
- To confidentiality of your medical information and records.
- To have your medical care and treatments explained to you clearly.
- To be informed of your rights in writing at the earliest possible time in the course of your hospitalization.
- To be told of hospital rules and guidelines.
- To participate in informed decisions about your plan of care.
- To information in plain language, concerning your diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, including information about alternative treatments and possible complications.
- To be treated with respect, dignity, and comfort.
- To appoint a designated legal or surrogate representative.
- To access, request amendment to and obtain information on your health record, through oral or written request, in a timely manner.
- To express concerns about your care or safety and receive a prompt response.
- To receive information about your healthcare that meets your communication needs tailored to your age, language, and ability to understand.
- To interpreter services and/or special devices if you are limited English speaking, deaf, or hard of hearing, visually impaired, or other sensory/manual/speaking skills, at no cost to you.
- To review your whiteboard and daily goals of care.
- To have your doctor and your representative of choice notified of your admission, discharge, and transfer from a hospital.
- To privacy when making and using recordings, films, and other images.
Personal Matters
You have the right …
- To have visitors of your choosing without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, sex (including sex characteristics, including intersex traits), pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex stereotypes.
- To have visitors of your choosing, including but not limited to a spouse, domestic partner (including same-sex domestic partner), another family member, or a friend and the right to withdraw or deny such consent at any time.
- To be informed of visitation rights, including any clinical restriction or limitation of rights.
- To tell us how, if at all, you would like your family to participate in your care and decision making.
- To access religious and other spiritual support during your stay.
- To have your cultural and personal values, beliefs, and preferences respected.
Treatment and Care
You have the right …
- To have your Advanced Care Plan (Advance Directive) honored, and to receive information on Advanced Care Plans if you do not have one and request more information.
- To be kept safe at all times and free from all forms of abuse and harassment.
- To personal privacy at all times within the capacity of the facility.
- To have your pain addressed promptly by your medical team.
- To refuse to be examined, observed, or treated by students, or staff without jeopardizing your access to care.
- To be free from restraints of any form that are not medically necessary or are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff.
- To receive complete information regarding your plan of care and treatment that is medically appropriate, and to request and/or refuse treatment, but not the provision of treatment or services deemed medically unnecessary or inappropriate.
- To prompt life-saving treatment in an emergency, regardless of your economic status or source of payment.
- To receive the highest medical care that meets the standards of Cone Health regardless of race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, sex (including sex characteristics, including intersex traits), pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex stereotypes.
- To quality care and professional standards that are maintained and reviewed.
- To assistance in obtaining consultation with another doctor at your request and expense.
- To be free from duplication of medical and nursing procedures as determined by the attending doctor.
- To be informed upon discharge of your continuing health care requirements following discharge and the means for meeting them.
- To notice of non-coverage and to appeal if you think your discharge is premature.
- To refuse to participate in medical research studies.
- To not be awakened by hospital staff unless medically necessary.
- To be transferred to another facility only after your next of kin or other legally responsible representative has received complete information and an explanation concerning the needs for and alternatives to such a transfer.
- To not be denied access to an individual or agency who is authorized to act on your behalf to assert or protect your rights.
Financial Matters
You have the right …
- To know if your doctor has a financial or other conflict of interest as it relates to your care.
- To information and counseling on the availability of known financial resources.
- To request and receive an itemized bill and explanation of the bill.
Your Responsibilities
- As a patient, healthcare agent, or guardian, we ask that you …
- Provide us with a copy of your Advanced Care Plan (Advance Directive).
- Provide complete and accurate information about your medical history.
- Tell a doctor or nurse when you feel better or worse, especially if there is a sudden change in how you feel.
- Work collaboratively with your medical team.
- Speak up if you have a concern about your care and safety as a patient.
- Be considerate of staff and other patients. This includes helping to control noise.
- Be responsible for your actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow your doctor’s orders.
- Maintain civil language and conduct. Aggressive behavior will not be tolerated.
- Follow the rules of the facility which are designated to keep you, other patients, and visitors safe and comfortable.
- Follow hospital guidelines regarding visitors. Disruptive visitors or visitors who are interfering with your care may be asked to leave.
- Not smoke or use tobacco products, including e-cigarettes (vaping) in our facilities or on our campus. We are a tobacco free campus.
- Provide accurate information about your insurance or lack of insurance.
- Make arrangements for payment of your bill to the extent that you can.
- Be responsible for belongings and not bring unnecessary items or valuables to the hospital.
Voice Your Concerns or Suggestions
You have the right …
- To have any concerns, complaints, and grievances addressed. Sharing these concerns, complaints, and grievances will not compromise your care, treatment, and services.
- If you have a concern, complaint, or grievance during your visit, please notify your nurse immediately or ask to speak to a leader. If your concerns remain unresolved, you may contact the Grievance and Patient Relations Department at 336-832-7090.
- If your issues are not satisfactorily addressed while you remain hospitalized, the investigation will continue. Cone Health is committed to prompt resolution of complaints or grievances. Our goal is to resolve grievances within seven business days. If the resolution process exceeds seven days, regular updates will be provided to you or your representative until the grievance process is completed.
- If you have a concern, complaint, or grievance after discharge, you may call the Grievance and Patient Relations Department at 336-832-7090, write an email to grievance@conehealth.com, or write a letter to:
Grievance and Patient Relations, Accreditation Services
1200 North Elm Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
- To directly contact the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Services Regulation (state survey agency) or The Joint Commission.
NC Division of Health Service Regulation Complaint Intake Unit
2711 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2711
Phone: 1-800-624-3004 | TDD: 1-800-735-2962 |Fax: 1-919-715-7724
The Joint Commission Office of Quality and Patient Safety
One Renaissance Boulevard Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
Joint Commission Connect
Patient Notice of Rights - PDF
Notice of Nondiscrimination and Accessibility
Cone Health complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Read the full Notice of Nondiscrimination and Accessibility.
