Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Introduction

The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

We believe that by understanding and participating in your health care at the Minnesota Continence Associates you can achieve more satisfactory, long-term results. This will be equally true if you are a patient of the parent/guardian of a minor for whom you must provide treatment consent. Therefore, we encourage a partnership between you and our dental team member- faculty staff, and students. By exercising your patient rights and responsibilities you fulfill your role as a member of our team and help assure that your dental care will meet your expectations, both now and in the future.

You have a right to:

Considerate, respectful and confidential treatment

We respect your right to be treated with dignity and we will honor your request to be addressed in a manner that is comfortable to you. Confidentiality of your records is assured by both Federal and State laws.

Your records will not be released to persons or agencies outside the clinic unless you provide written permission to do so. Exceptions may apply, however, with respect to complaint investigations, when required by third party payment contracts or when allowed by law (Minnesota Statutes Section 144.335).

Continuous and timely completion of your treatment

As a patient in a major teaching institution, you are a partner in our commitment to the education of future health care providers. You have, with respect to this special environment, the right to receive comprehensive care in a timely and continuous manner and with reasonable regularity. You, in turn, have a responsibility to keep your scheduled appointments and to be available for treatment upon reasonable notice. If you are regularly unavailable for treatment and we are thereby unable to provide the timeliness necessary to give you proper care, it is possible for your treatment to be discontinued.

Access to complete and current information about your condition

Your care at Minnesota Continence Associates may involve a few simple procedures or it may encompass a number of specialty care programs. Whatever the scope of your treatment, information regarding your total care while a patient is available. While we make every attempt to keep you informed, you should never be reluctant to ask questions if you are uncertain about your health status.

Explanation of recommended treatment

You have a right to receive a complete examination, in terms you can understand, of your diagnosis; treatment options; probable outcomes; alternatives to treatment; risks and benefits associated with each option and the respective cost for each option. Parents or guardians have a right to an explanation regarding the options for the behavioral management of children. If you do not understand these explanations, you have a responsibility to ask for further details.

Acknowledge your consent to all treatment

After being informed of your treatment options and their associated costs, you have a right to accept, defer or decline any part of the recommended treatment. Once you have reached an agreement with your nurse practitioner on the treatment to be performed, you will be asked to acknowledge that agreement and formally consent, in writing, to the treatment before any work begins. You will be asked to sign several documents and you should only do so with a full understanding of what each represents.

You have the right to change your mind about your treatment at any time.

Quality care with the highest standards of the profession

As an educational institution, it is our mission to provide you with high quality, comprehensive continence services rendered within the context of the above rights and responsibilities.

We attempt to maintain state-of-the-art equipment and utilize the latest techniques in health care delivery and materials. You can expect a safe visit to our clinic and be assured that all clinical personnel understand and operate within the most current standards of infectious disease control.

Urgent care

If problems arise related to your care at Minnesota Continence Associates, you have a right to receive prompt and complete emergency care to alleviate your pain and/or discomfort. This service is available during normal clinic hours as well as evenings and weekends.

Timely and courteous access to a patient advocate

If you feel your rights and requests are not being honored at any time, and you cannot resolve the situation with your nurse practitioner or staff person, you shall have access to a patient advocate who will assist you in the process.