Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Munson Healthcare Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Munson Healthcare (MHC) is committed to protecting your rights and ensuring you receive safe, respectful, and high‑quality care. 

Your Right to Be Informed

  • You will be informed of your patient rights before care is provided, whenever possible.
  • You have the right to know who to contact if you have a concern or wish to file a complaint or grievance.

Your Right to Voice Concerns or Grievances

  • You may share concerns or file a grievance verbally or in writing.
  • The hospital has a formal grievance process with defined timeframes for review and response.
  • You will receive a written response that includes: 
    • The name of a hospital contact person
    • Steps taken to review your concern
    • The outcome of the review
    • The date the process was completed

Your Right to Participate in Your Care

  • You have the right to be involved in decisions about your care.
  • You may ask questions, receive information about your health, and request or refuse treatment.
  • You may create advance directives, and staff will honor them as required by law.
  • You may choose a family member or representative to be notified of your admission.

Your Right to Privacy, Safety, and Respect

  • You have the right to personal privacy and confidentiality.
  • You have the right to receive care in a safe environment.
  • You have the right to be free from abuse, neglect, harassment, or retaliation.

Your Right to Medical Record Confidentiality and Access

Your Rights Regarding Restraints and Seclusion

  • You have the right to be free from restraints or seclusion used for convenience, discipline, or punishment.
  • Restraints or seclusion are used only when necessary to ensure immediate safety and only after less restrictive options have been tried.
  • If used, they will: 
    • Be ordered by a licensed practitioner
    • Be the least restrictive option
    • Be monitored closely by trained staff
    • Be discontinued as soon as possible

Your Right to Trained Caregivers

  • Staff involved in your care are trained to ensure your safety, including when restraints or seclusion are required.

Your Visitation Rights

  • You may choose who visits you, including family, friends, or support persons.
  • Visitation will not be restricted based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.
  • Any visitation restrictions will be explained and based on clinical or safety needs.

Patient Responsibilities

As a patient, it is your responsibility to:

  • Share accurate health information, including current conditions, implantable devices and past treatments.
  • Follow instructions from your health care team and ask questions if you do not understand your care plan or what you are expected to do. 
  • Provide current advance directives and notify the hospital of a legally authorized surrogate, if applicable.
  • Report pain, discomfort, unexpected changes in your condition, or safety concerns.
  • Participate in care decisions and accept responsibility for your actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow instructions.
  • Fulfill financial obligations or seek assistance from a Financial Counselor.
  • Respect the rights and property of other patients and staff.
  • Send valuables home if admitted to the hospital. Label and safeguard personal items such as glasses, hearing aids, and dentures.
  • Keep appointments or notify your provider if you cannot attend.
  • Not record staff (audio or video) without their consent.

How to Handle Concerns about Patient Care

We Want You to Be Satisfied

We expect each member of your care team to make your visit as comfortable and pleasant as possible. It is our sincere desire to address and correct any issues that may arise. If you have a concern about any aspect of your care or service, or need further explanation about your rights and responsibilities:

  • First, talk to a staff member about it.
  • If you still have concerns, ask to speak with the nursing supervisor or manager.
  • Please contact a Patient Relations team member if you remain dissatisfied.

Ethics Consult Services

If you have ethical concerns, or you or your family need help making a difficult decision, please speak with a member of your care team to arrange for help. 

How to File a Complaint or Grievance

You may file a formal complaint or grievance with Patient Relations, and you can expect an initial response within seven business days. You may also relay issues involving safety or quality of care directly to:

State of Michigan
Bureau of Community & Health Systems
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)
PO Box 30664, Lansing, MI 48909
800-882-6006
michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bsc/file-a-complaint-with-bsc
MLTCOP@meji.org

The Joint Commission
The Joint Commission Office of Quality Monitoring One Renaissance Blvd. 
Oak Brook Terrace, IL 60181
800-994-6610
jointcommission.org/en-us/contact-us/report-a-patient-safety-event 

Medicare Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO)
BFCC-QIO Program – Region 5
Commence Health
PO Box 2687
Virginia Beach, VA 23450
888-524-9900
888-685-7025 (fax)
(TTY Helpline: 711)
commencehealthqio.cms.gov

Healthcare/Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board
Munson Healthcare’s Sterile Compounding Program is accredited by Accreditation Commission for Healthcare/ Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board. Concerns about the safety or quality of compounded sterile preparations at Munson Medical Center may be reported by calling 855-937-2242.

Mammography Serious Complaints
American College of Radiology
Attn: Accreditation Program Patient Complaints
1891 Preston White Drive
Reston, VA 20191

Complaints pertaining to our Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), may also be submitted to:
The Compliance Team
PO Box 160
905 Sheble Lane, Suite 102
Spring House, PA 19477
888-291-5353
thecomplianceteam.org

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