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Sentara is dedicated to providing you with the best in healthcare, both in terms of treatment and patient experience. We respect your rights as a patient and want you to understand your responsibility as a partner in your care.

As a patient in a Sentara hospital, you have certain rights and protections guaranteed by state and federal laws. These exist to help ensure the quality and safety of your hospital care. A copy of "Let’s TALK about Patient's Rights and Responsibilities" will be provided to you upon your admission to the hospital.

Notice of Privacy Practices

You have the right to...

  • Participate in informed decisions about your plan of care.
  • Have your medical care explained to you clearly.
  • Be treated with respect and dignity.
  • Appoint a Healthcare Agent.
  • Confidentiality of your medical information and records.
  • Review your whiteboard and daily goals of care.
  • Know the names and roles of your health care team members.
  • Read your medical record and request a copy be provided.
  • Express concerns about your care or safety and get a prompt response.
  • Interpreter and translation services, assistive devices, and communication aids and services, at no cost to you.
  • Have your Primary Care Physician (PCP) and your representative of choice notified of your admission. If you do not want your PCP notified, please let us know.

You have the right to...

  • Have visitors of your choosing, including but not limited to a spouse, domestic partner (including same-sex domestic partner), another family member or friend, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with some limitations.
  • Tell us how, if at all, you would like your family to take part in your care and decision-making.
  • Access spiritual support while you are in the hospital.
  • Appoint a Designated Support Person (DSP) if you have a diagnosed disability and need ongoing support for that disability.

 

You have the right to...

  • Have your Advance Care Plan (Advance Directive) honored, and to receive information or help completing an Advance Care Plan, if requested.
  • Be kept safe and free from abuse, harassment, or discrimination.
  • Expect that your personal privacy will be respected, within the ability of the facility, while keeping you safe.
  • Have your pain addressed and to be involved in decisions about the treatment of your pain.
  • Be free from seclusion and restraint that is not medically necessary.
  • Refuse to be examined, observed, or treated by students or hospital staff.
  • Request and/or refuse treatment; but you do not have the right to demand treatment that is medically unnecessary or inappropriate.
  • Prompt life-saving treatment in an emergency, regardless of your economic status or source of payment.
  • Receive notice of non-coverage and to appeal if you think your discharge is premature.
  • Refuse to take part in medical research studies.

 

You have the right to...

  • Know if your doctor has a financial or other conflict of interest as it relates to your care.
  • Request information about financial help or no-cost treatment.
  • Request an itemized bill and an explanation of the bill.

You and your companions have the right to...

  • Effective communication.
  • Interpreter services at no cost to you.
  • Free access to qualified sign language and oral interpreters, TDD, video remote interpreting, assisted listening devices, closed caption TVs, picture boards, cue cards, documents in multiple languages, and other auxiliary aids and services.
  • Have written materials read to you out loud and explained to you by staff, if you are blind or have low vision, including treatment, benefits, services, waivers of rights, and consent to treatment forms.
  • Large print and material converted to Braille.
  • Assistive devices for persons with impaired manual skills.

 

You have the right to...

  •   Accessible facilities.
  • Convenient off-street parking marked specifically for disabled persons.
  • Curb cuts and ramps between parking areas and buildings.
  • Level access into first floor with elevator access to all other floors.
  • Fully accessible offices, meeting rooms, bathrooms, public waiting areas, cafeteria, patient treatment areas, and medical equipment.

As a patient, healthcare agent, or guardian, we ask that you (and your visitors)...

  • Provide us with a copy of your Advance 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 safety.
  • Provide accurate contact and billing information.
  • Arrange for payment of your bill to the extent that you can.
  • Be considerate and respectful of staff, other patients, and facility property. This includes helping to control noise.
  • Follow the rules of the facility, which are designed to keep you, other patients, and visitors safe and comfortable.
  • Not smoke, vape or use tobacco products in our facilities or on Sentara property.

 

You have the right to...

  • Know about hospital resources within Sentara, such as the Patient Advocate, Guest Services, Sentara Promise Line, and the Ethics Committee, which are here to help you resolve problems and to answer questions about your hospital stay and treatment.
    • Call the Hospital Operator or ask your Nurse to call the Patient Advocate, Guest Services or Ethics Consultant.
  • Know how to file a complaint or grievance with…