Patients and Family Rights & Responsibilities

Patients Rights

At Helen DeVos Children's Hospital we promise to:

• Listen to you and your parents
• Tell you and your parents what is happening
• Tell you:
  • Who we are
  • What we do at the hospital
  • Why we have come into your room
  • Why you are here
• Explain things in ways that you and your parents can understand
• Work with you and your parents to decide the best way to care for you
• Co-create your plan of care with you and your parents
• Help you feel safe so you can talk to us about anything
• Care for you no matter:
  • What you look like
  • Where you live
  • What care you need
  • Who pays for your care
  • What you can or cannot do
• Do what we can to help you feel better if you hurt or are uncomfortable
• Let you celebrate and observe your special traditions
• Allow your family and friends to be with you as much as you want-and if there are times when you don't want visitors, let us know and we will help you

Patient Responsibilities
To help us meet your needs, please:

• Tell us about:
  • Your health and the way you are feeling
  • All medication that you take
  • Your family's needs and worries
  • Any needs you and your family have
• Help in your care by:
  • Telling us your ideas about how we can best care for you
  • Working together with the doctors, nurses and other people taking care of you
  • Learning what you can do to take care of yourself
  • Letting us know if you have any questions or concerns
• Help us create a safe and healing environment by:
  • Treating others with respect
  • Using quiet inside voices
  • Respecting other's space
  • Using kind words
  • Bringing your items that are of comfort to you, such as a favorite toy, blanket or electronic device
•  Follow the hospital rules by:
  • Taking care of hospital property and supplies
  • Using only the medications your doctor says you should use
  • Keeping the volume of your personal electronic devices at a level that is not heard outside your room
  • Keeping the hospital free of alcohol, tobacco and drugs
  • Leaving your valuables at home

Any member of your health care team or Patient Relations team can help you if you have other questions, concerns or compliments.