An Advocate for You

When you come to St. Mary's Hospital for healthcare, your energy should be focused on getting better.  But sometimes you need someone to talk to, someone who can create a bridge between you, the patient, and the people caring for you.
That’s where our patient advocates come in.  These friendly SMH employees are here to give patients and their families the chance to talk about their experience with us.  The patient advocates can help make your stay more comfortable, assist your family, and make sure your feedback is channeled to the right people in the hospital.
If you have a concern or need someone to talk to, ask the nearest employee to contact a patient advocate for you.  You may also dial 0 for the operator and ask him or her to reach the patient advocate for you.

Patient Responsibilities

As a patient at St. Mary's Hospital, you have specific responsibilities, as outlined below.

You have the responsibility to:

• Provide accurate and complete information regarding your present medical problems, past illnesses and other matters relating to your health.
• Follow the plan of treatment established by those who plan your care and agreed upon by you.  You are responsible for asking any questions you may have regarding the instructions you receive.
• Report any unexpected or sudden changes in your condition to those responsible for your care.
• Accept any consequences if you refuse treatment or do not follow medical instructions.
• Be courteous and considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel, and see that your visitors do the same.
• Provide accurate information when making financial arrangements to pay your hospital bill.  You are responsible for the payment of your bill - including any portion which is not promptly paid by your insurance company.
• Observe hospital policies relating to your conduct as a patient.

Patient Rights

As a patient at St. Mary's Hospital, you have specific rights, as outlined below.

You have the right to:

• Receive appropriate medical care without consideration of race, color, national origin, religion, handicap or source of payment.
• Expect considerate and respectful care.  You can expect courteous attention from all personnel when you request help, recognizing that other patients may have similar or more urgent needs.  You can expect that information obtained in the treatment of your medical condition is confidential.
• Know, by name, the doctor responsible for coordinating your care and the name and professional status of all those providing your care.  You can also expect to know what hospital policies apply to you as a patient.
• Receive complete information from your doctor in words you can understand.  This information should include an explanation of tests, procedures and what might be wrong with you.
• Understand the alternatives and risks of any procedure that requires your consent.
• Be involved in all aspects of your care, including giving informed consent, refusing any treatment or procedure, formulating advance directives, and making care decisions.  These care decisions may involve withholding resuscitative services and forgoing or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment and care at the end of life.
• Receive appropriate assessment and management of pain.
• Receive reasonable continuity of care, including instructions for your healthcare needs following discharge.
• Receive an explanation of your hospital bill regardless of the source of payment.
• Have the clergy of your choice notified of your hospitalization.
• Receive protective services which can be arranged through our Department of Clinical Resource Management.
• Receive information and assistance about advance directives.
• Receive information explaining how your patient privacy is protected and how your medical information may be used and disclosed.
• Voice your complaints regarding care, treatment or service.

We encourage you to Speak Up at any time during your stay with us.  Please summon the nearest employee immediately if you have any questions or concerns about your care.  Your nurse can also contact a patient advocate for you. 

For further communication, please feel free to contact our Administrative Offices at
301-475-6001 Monday through Friday during business hours.  You may also call the operator at 301-475-8981 and ask to speak with a Patient Care Supervisor.

For any unresolved issues, you can call the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Office of Health Care Quality at 410-402-8015 or 410-402-8016.

If you have patient care and safety concerns that you feel were not adequately resolved at the St. Mary's Hospital management staff level, we encourage you to contact the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).