Patients and Guests

Health Science Campus • The University of Toledo Medical Center
3000 Arlington Avenue • Phone: 419.383.4000 •  utmc.webmaster@utoledo.edu
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Patient Rights & Responsibilities

The University of Toledo Medical Center is dedicated to caring for each person with respect and dignity. We consider you a partner who wants to understand and make informed decisions about your health care. We also believe that you and your family can participate if you know your rights and responsibilities. Guardians, legal representatives and parents (for minors) have the same rights and responsibilities.

The following summarizes these rights:

  • The UT Medical Center offers reasonable access to treatment that is available and medically indicated regardless of age, sex, race/color, ethnicity, gender, religion, disabilities, socio-economic status, educational background, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and disability or sources of payment.
  • Generate advance medical directives and have them followed.
  • Know the names and titles of doctors and other caregivers.
  • Participate in the development and implementation of the plan of care.
  • Complete information about your diagnosis, condition and treatment in terms you can understand. An interpreter shall be available when you do not speak or understand English.
  • Considerate care that respects your culture, values and beliefs.
  • Freedom from restraint that is not medically necessary.
  • Know reasons for any limits to visitors, phone calls, mail or other communications.
  • Make or have a representative make informed decisions about your care. This includes risks, side effects and outcomes expected.
  • Request a change of provider or second opinion, if desired.
  • Information about your continuing health care needs along with information about resources available.
  • Be as comfortable as possible (especially at the end of life) and to make decisions regarding life-sustaining treatment. Care is available to meet physical, mental, spiritual and emotional needs.
  • Request an Ethics Consult if you are having difficulty making health care decisions. Do this by calling The UT Medical Center operator at 0 or 419.383.4000 and ask for the ethicist on call.
  • Information about billed services and cost of care. Assistance shall be provided to apply for financial aide as needed.
  • Appropriate assessment and satisfactory management of pain (includes options to manage pain).
  • Personal privacy. Only the pertinent information will be available to appropriate members of the health care team in order to provide treatment, facilitate payment of a bill and to monitor and assess hospital functions. Your permission is required to share your medical information for purposes other than the above.
  • Receive care in a safe environment.
  • Refuse treatment (as permitted by law) and to be informed of the possible consequences of this action.
  • Consent or refuse to participate in experimental treatment/research.
  • Access protective services when needed.
  • Voice concerns about your care or service.
  • Click here to view HIPAA privacy information.

Your responsibilities are to:

  • Provide advance medical directives to the hospital doctor.
  • Act in a considerate and cooperative manner and respect the rights and property of others.
  • Keep scheduled appointments or cancel them in advance.
  • Provide accurate and complete information regard-ing your health history along with insurance and third party payor information.
  • Follow medical instructions and discuss changes or concerns about your ability to comply.
  • Notify your provider of care regarding any changes in condition and ask questions if you do not under-stand information about your care.
  • Accept the consequences of your action if you refuse treatment or do not follow instructions.
  • Keep personal belongings and valuables in a safe place.
  • Satisfy financial obligations for health care services provided.
  • Follow the rules and regulations of the health care facility.
  • Express concerns about care: Ohio Department of Health Hotline 800.342.0553, Peer Review Organization (Medicare patients only) 800.589.7337. If you have questions about your Rights and Responsibilities, or if you would like to have a copy of the policy, call the Patient Representative Office at Ext. 3606