Patient Rights

The IU Simon Cancer Center upholds the mission of Clarian Health Partners to foster human dignity and preserve the rights of each.

You have the right to appropriate and compassionate care at all times.
You will not be discriminated against on the basis of your race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, handicap, marital status, sexual preference or source of payment.

You may expect that the people caring for you will introduce themselves and explain their roles in your care.

You have the right to receive information about your condition in terms you can understand, as well as the proposed course of treatment, procedures, and prospects for recovery. If your physician withholds this information because it is not medically advisable, he or she must record the reason in your medical record.
You have the right to designate a representative to make health care decisions on your behalf.
You or your designated representative have the right to participate in the consideration of ethical issues surrounding your care. We encourage you to contact your nurse, physician or Patient Representative to assist you.

Pain management is part of medical treatment, both during your hospital stay and upon discharge. When you are in pain, you have the right to:

You have the right to refuse treatment to the extent provided by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of that refusal. If you refuse care or treatment, you are responsible for the results of that decision.
If the hospital or its staff decides that your refusal of treatment prevents you from receiving appropriate care according to ethical and professional standards, the relationship with you may be terminated upon reasonable notice.

If experimental procedures are being considered as part of your care, these will be explained to you. You have the right to refuse to take part in any research or experimental projects, and to withdraw from such projects in which you previously agreed to participate.

You may not be restrained unless a physician has given written authorization for this, or it is deemed necessary in an emergency situation to protect you from injuring yourself or others.

Generally, you have the right to read your medical record while you are a patient in the hospital, if a physician or designated health care professional is present.
After discharge, you have the right to obtain (for a fee), copies of your completed medical record unless your physician does not think this is medically advisable for you. Information about access to your medical records may be obtained by contacting the hospital's Medical Record Department.

Communication and records about your care will be treated confidentially.
You have the right to determine in writing who may receive copies of your medical record, except as required by law.

You are entitled to privacy in treatment and in caring for your personal needs. This includes the right to be interviewed and examined in surroundings designed to assure reasonable privacy.
You have the right to talk privately with anyone you wish (subject to hospital visiting regulations) unless your physician does not think this is medically advisable and documented this reason in your medical record. You also have the right to refuse to see visitors.

You will be instructed about how to continue your health care after you leave the hospital.
If transfer to another health care facility is necessary, you will receive an explanation as to why the transfer is required. You will be given assistance in making arrangements for transfer.

You have the right to receive an explanation of your hospital bill except where prohibited by law.
Whenever possible, you will be notified when you are no longer eligible for insurance.
You may ask hospital staff to give you information about financial help for your hospital bill.

You have the right to take part in religious and/or social activities while in the hospital, unless your physician thinks these activities are not medically advisable.

Patients