Rights and Responsibilities of Heart Transplant Patients

Cleveland Clinic is committed to providing you with respectful care as we meet your health care needs during your heart transplant. For this reason, we want you to have a summary of your rights as a heart transplant patient.

1. You have a right to considerate and respectful care as you go through the heart transplant process.
2. You have the right to participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care. You will not be denied access to care due to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, or source of payment.
3. You have the right to information about your heart transplant diagnosis, condition, and treatment in terms that you can understand in regard to your heart transplant or any medical procedure at Cleveland Clinic.
4. You have the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the possible consequences of the refusal.
5. You, as a heart transplant patient, are entitled to be free from all forms of abuse or harassment. You have the right to make or have a representative of your choice make informed decisions about your care.
6. You have the right to formulate advance directives prior to your heart transplant and have them followed.
7. You have the right to have your family or representative of your choice and your own physician notified of your admission to the hospital for a heart transplant.
8. You have the right to appropriate assessment and management of pain.
9. You are entitled to be free from any forms of restraint or seclusion as a means of convenience, discipline, coercion, or retaliation. Seclusion and restraint for behavior management can only be used in emergency situations.
10. You are entitled to information about rules and regulations affecting your care or conduct.
11. You have the right to know the names and professional titles of your physicians and caregivers.
12. You have the right to know that The Cleveland Clinic Foundation is a teaching institution. Resident physicians, student nurses, and other supervised health care providers in training may become involved in your care and treatment before, during, and after your heart transplant.
13. You can request a change of provider or second opinion if you choose.
14. You have the right to personal privacy and to receive care during the heart transplant process in a safe environment.
15. You have the right to prompt and reasonable response to any request for services within the capacity of the health care facility.
16. You have the right to express concerns or grievances regarding your care to the hospital staff or to the Ombudsman office.
17. The confidentiality of your clinical and personal records will be maintained.
18. You have the right to see your medical record within the limits of the law.
19. You have the right to an explanation of all items on your bill.
20. You have the right to be provided with information about your continuing health care needs and planning for care after you leave the hospital and, as appropriate, after an appointment with your physician or other caregiver.

Patient's Responsibilities – General

This is a summary of your responsibilities as a patient at Cleveland Clinic.

1. It is your responsibility to provide accurate and complete information about all matters pertaining to your health, including medications and past or present medical problems.
2. You are responsible for following the instructions and advice of your health care team. If you refuse treatment or do not follow the instructions or advice, you must accept the consequences of your actions.
3. It is your responsibility to notify a member of the health care team if you do not understand information about your care and treatment.
4. You are responsible for reporting changes in your condition or symptoms, including pain, to a member of the healthcare team.
5. It is your responsibility to act in a considerate and cooperative manner and to respect the rights and property of others. You are responsible for following the rules and regulations of the health care facility. For outpatients, you are expected to keep your scheduled appointments or to cancel them in advance if at all possible.
6. It is your responsibility to pay your bills or make some arrangement with the facility to meet your financial obligations.

Patient's Responsibilities – As a hospital patient awaiting transplant

We believe it is important for you to be an active participant in your healthcare. This is a summary of your responsibilities in the hospital as you await your heart transplant.

1. You are responsible for weighing yourself daily, before breakfast, and recording your daily weights in your weight record.
2. You are responsible for keeping track of your fluid intake and urinary output every day. You will be given logs to record this information.
3. You are expected to follow your prescribed dietary guidelines and fluid restrictions. Please tell your family members and friends NOT to bring in food or snacks from home or from the vending machines. Please talk with your dietitian or health care team if you have any questions about this guideline.
4. You are expected to participate in the Cardiac Rehabilitation program on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays when you are physically able to participate.
5. You are expected to attend educational sessions provided by your health care team when you are able.
6. When your health care team provides the "ok", you will be allowed to have "off floor" privileges. This means you can leave the unit for about 20–30 minutes. However, it is your responsibility to return on time and to check back with your nurse when you return (by calling the unit secretary or physically checking in with your nurse).