Patient Bill of Rights & Responsibilities

The staff of Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center is dedicated to serving your needs and providing for your care and comfort. We want you to know that you have certain rights and responsibilities as a patient.

You have the following rights. If someone is helping you make healthcare decisions, s/he may exercise these rights for you.

Quality of Care

You have the right to: 

• Quality care by skilled doctors and staff. 
• Be treated for your pain. 
• Treatment that is as comfortable as possible. 
• Emergency procedures without unnecessary delays. 
• Help decide the details of your plan of care. 
• Ask for a second opinion, at your expense.

Safety

You have the right to: 

• Safe care. 
• Know when something goes wrong with your care. 
• Have a family member or friend, as well as your doctor, notified promptly of your admission to the hospital.
• Be free from all forms of abuse and neglect. 
• Be free from the use of restraints unless needed for safety.

Voice and Choice

You have the right to: 

• Get information in a manner you understand. 
• Make informed decisions about your care. 
• Refuse care. 
• Make advance directives and have your medical wishes followed.
• Contact a person or agency to protect your rights. 
• Have a support person with you for emotional support. 
• Agree or refuse to allow pictures for purposes other than your care. 
• Religious and other spiritual services that you choose. 
• Complain without fear and have your complaints reviewed.

Affordability

You have the right to: 

• A detailed bill and an explanation of that bill. 
• Information about resources to help pay for your healthcare.

Authentic Personalized Relationships

You have the right to:

• Know the names and jobs of the people who care for you. 
• Privacy and access to medical information as described in Novant’s Notice of Privacy Practices. 
• Be treated with respect and dignity. 
• Treatment without discrimination. 
• Respect for your culture, values, beliefs and preferences. 
• Visitors of your choice. We will inform you of any restrictions.
• Personal privacy.

Easy for Me

You have the right to: 

• Sleep in the hospital without being awakened unless necessary. 
• Know about rules that apply to your actions. 
• Help in discharge planning from the hospital.

Your Role

What is your role in your healthcare? 

• Be an active partner in your healthcare. 
• Ask questions. 
• Keep appointments. 
• Be respectful to other people and their property. 
• Follow the facility’s rules. 
• Follow your care instructions. 
• Share as much health information with us as possible.
• Tell us about changes in your condition. 
• Tell us when you are in pain. 
• Give us a copy of your advance directive(s). 
• Leave your valuables at home. 
• Pay for your care.

For comments, complaints, grievances, or to report safety concerns, you may contact Novant Health, toll-free, at 1-888-648-7999. After normal business hours, please leave a message and someone will return your call the next business day.

You also may lodge a grievance directly with the following:

North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation
Attention: Rita Horton
2711 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2711
800-624-3004 (toll-free for N.C. residents)
919-855-4500 (local and outside N.C.)

The Joint Commission
One Renaissance Blvd.
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 
800-994-66