Rights & Responsibilities

Ethics, Rights, Responsibilities & Complaint Resolution

Ochsner Lafayette General adheres to ethical care and business practices. Our staff understands how these good practices significantly affects the patient experience and response to care, treatment and services.

Patients deserve care, treatment and services that safeguard their personal dignity and respects their cultural, psychosocial and spiritual values.

Organization Ethics

  • The hospital follows ethical behavior in its care, treatment, and services and business practices.
  • The hospital addresses conflicts of interest.
  • The integrity of decisions is based on identified care, treatment and service needs of the patients.
  • When internal or external review results in the denial of care, treatment, services or payment, the hospital makes decisions regarding the ongoing provision of care, treatment, services, discharge or transfer based on the assessed needs of the patients.

Every patient shall have the following rights, none of which shall be abridged by the hospital or any of its staff:

Individual Rights

  • You have the right to be involved in decisions about your care, treatment, and services provided.
  • You have the right to an explanation regarding procedures or tests being performed on you prior to the procedure. If you do not understand you have the right to ask questions. You have the right to be informed and give consent for recording or filming made for purposes other than the identification, diagnosis, or treatment of your medical condition, and services.
  • You have the right to receive adequate information about the person(s) responsible for the delivery of care, treatment and services.
  • You have the right to refuse care, treatment and services in accordance with law and regulation.
  • You have the right to have your wishes addressed relating to end-of-life decisions.
  • You have the right when appropriate, to have your family informed about the outcomes of care, treatment and services that have been provided, including unanticipated outcomes.
  • You have the right to effective communication from your care providers.
  • You and/or your family have the right to prompt resolution of complaints.
  • You have a right to lodge a complaint directly with hospital regulatory agencies, either Department of Health and Hospitals or The Joint Commission, without accessing the Hospital’s complaint process.
  • You have the right to have the family member of your choice and your personal physician notified promptly of your admission.
  • You have the right to receive care in a safe setting.
  • You have the right of confidentiality, privacy and security.
  • You have the right to access the contents of your clinical record within a reasonable time frame.
  • You have the right to an environment that preserves dignity and contributes to a positive self-image.
  • You have the right to be free from seclusion and restraints, which are not medically necessary.
  • You have the right to be free from mental, physical, sexual and verbal abuse or harassment, neglect and exploitation.
  • You have the right to pain management.
  • You have a right to access protective and advocacy services.
  • The hospital protects research subjects and respects their rights during research, investigation and clinical trials involving human subjects.

Individual Responsibilities

As a patient, you have certain responsibilities. The hospital identifies the responsibilities of the patients and their families as follows:

  • Providing information. Patients and families, as appropriate, must provide, to the best of their knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalization, medications and other matters relating to their health. Patients and their families must report perceived risks in their care and unexpected changes in their condition. They can help the hospital understand their environment by providing feedback about service needs and expectations.
  • Asking questions. Patients and families, as appropriate, must ask questions when they do not understand their care, treatment and service or what they are expected to do.
  • Following instructions. Patients and their families must follow the care, treatment and service plan developed. They should express any concerns about their ability to follow the proposed care plan or course of care, treatment and services. The hospital makes every effort to adapt the plan to the specific needs and limitations of the patients. When such adaptations to the care, treatment and service plan are not recommended, patients and their families are informed of the consequences of the care, treatment and service alternatives and not following the proposed course.
  • Accepting consequences. Patients and their families are responsible for the outcomes if they do not follow the care, treatment and service plan.
  • Following rules and regulations. Patients and their families must follow the hospital’s rules and regulations.
  • Showing respect and consideration. Patients and their families must be considerate of the hospital’s staff and property, as well as other patients and their property.
  • Meeting financial commitments. Patients and their families should promptly meet any financial obligation agreed to with the hospital.

Complaint Resolution

Our goal is to go above and beyond what’s expected of us in meeting your healthcare needs. If we are not meeting your needs or expectations, we encourage you to speak with any member of our healthcare team.

If your concern cannot be promptly resolved, we encourage you to contact the leadership of the department and/or the Patient Representative at 337-289-7280. Our Patient Representative serves as a liaison between you and the hospital, and helps resolve any concerns, complaints or questions you may have regarding your care or service. The Patient Representative is available during regular business hours and the Nursing Supervisor is available during the off hours.

If your concerns have not been addressed and/or resolved, you may report those concerns to the following agencies:

The Joint Commission:

E-Mail: complaint@jointcommission.org 
Fax: Office of Quality Monitoring 630-792-5636
Mail: Office of Quality Monitoring The Joint Commission Oak Renaissance Boulevard Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Or for questions on how to file a concern you may call toll free: 800-994-6610

Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals:

Mail: DHH/Health Standards Section Attn: Complaint Desk PO Box 3767 Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Fax: 225-342-5292
Phone: 225-280-7737

Our staff is committed to always providing you exemplary care and Five-Star service during your stay with us. A complaint is a gift that allows us to improve our processes as an organization.