Patient Rights & Responsibilities

• You have the right to safe and effective medical care regardless of age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, culture, language, national origin, disability, or source of payment.
• You have a right to be free from financial or other exploitation, retaliation, humiliation, neglect, and all forms of abuse or harassment.
• You have the right to know who will perform your medical treatment or procedures.
• You have the right to receive information from your doctor and team that will help you decide about treatment options or procedures before the treatment or procedure begins.
• You have the right to provide input and ask for adjustments to the staff who make up your care team.
• After providing you with information, your consent will be needed before receiving medical care or treatment.
• You have the right to refuse recommended treatments. You have the right to be told about medical problems that may occur if medical treatment is refused.
• You may ask questions or give feedback about any treatment or procedure and expect a prompt response.
• You may involve your family and others in your medical decisions.
• You will receive information on how to obtain protective and advocacy services.
• You have the right to be informed of hospital charges for services and available payment methods.
• You have the right to receive information in a manner you can understand.
• You may choose whether you want to take part in any research or training program.
• You can expect an environment that strives to protect your dignity and enhances a positive self- image. Respect includes protecting your privacy, confidentiality of information, security, and safety.
• You may voice your concerns or complaints and expect a prompt and considerate response.
• You may read your medical records.
• Medical care includes access to psychological, social, and spiritual support.
• You may choose the person to make decisions about your care in the event you cannot express your wishes.
• You will be involved in any decisions if a conflict in your care should arise, including ethical ones and to have your rights respected.

• You have the responsibility to take part in all aspects of your treatment, including goal setting, as outlined by your rehabilitation team.
• You have the responsibility to give truthful and complete information about your current health and health history, to the best of your knowledge.
• You have the responsibility to accept the consequences if you refuse treatment or do not follow our healthcare provider’s instructions.
• You have the responsibility to follow hospital rules and regulations. Alcohol, illegal drugs, and weapons are not allowed on Shepherd Center property.
• You have the responsibility to be considerate and respectful of other patients and their visitors.
• You and your visitors have the responsibility to treat hospital staff and property with respect. We value our staff who are here to help you. Violent, threatening, or abusive behavior toward staff as well directing profanity at staff will not be tolerated and may result in discharge and/or removal from Shepherd Center premises.
• You have the responsibility to only take those medications prescribed by your doctor and administered by nursing staff. No illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications not prescribed by your medical team are to be used.
• You have the responsibility to accept the consequences of an early discharge if you do not adhere to the responsibilities addressed above.

We encourage you to voice any concerns or complaints directly to your care team or any member of our staff. If your concerns remain unresolved, you can contact:

• Online submissions: We are committed to providing you with the best possible care and experience. If you have a concern, please share it through our confidential feedback form. We’ll work diligently to address any issues.
• Jamie Shepherd, CEO: 404-367-1237
• The Joint Commission: 1-800-994-6610 or email the Joint Commission’s Office of Quality Monitoring at [email protected]
• Georgia Department of Community Health: 404-657-5728 or 1-800-878-6442
• Medicare Hotline: 1-800-633-4227 (for Medicare patients)
• Georgia Medicaid Hotline: 1-800-669-8387 (for Georgia Medicaid patients)

Medical Ethics Committee

Shepherd Center is dedicated to carefully evaluating all sides of medical ethical concerns when making decisions that impact patient care. To support this commitment, the organization has an ethics committee designed to assist patients, caregivers, and all healthcare professionals in identifying, evaluating, and resolving medical ethical dilemmas. These concerns may be related to care decisions, treatment options, comfort care or different values or beliefs that make decisions difficult. The medical ethics committee includes physicians, nurses, case managers, administrators, chaplains, psychology, and other healthcare professionals. Patients and caregivers are encouraged to reach out to their Case Manager or other Shepherd healthcare provider to request a medical ethics committee consultation if an ethical concern cannot be resolved or call Shepherd Center’s Compliance Line at 1-(800)-860-0085.