Patient Responsibilites

Patient Responsibilities

• It is the PATIENT’S responsibility to read and understand all permits and/or consents to be signed. Patients should ask either the nurse or physician to clarify any information not understood about their care or services.
• It is the PATIENT’S responsibility to provide complete and accurate information to the best of his/her ability about his/her health, any medications, including over-the-counter products and dietary supplements, and any allergies or sensitivities.
• It is the PATIENT’S responsibility to follow the treatment plan prescribed by his/ her provider, participate in his/her care, and to notify Surgery Center on admission if preoperative instructions have not been followed.
• The PATIENT is responsible for his/her actions if they refuse treatment or do not follow preoperative instructions.
• It is the PATIENT’S responsibility to provide reliable adult transportation to and from the Surgery Center, and to arrange for a responsible adult to remain with them for 12-24 hours after they leave the center, appropriate to the medications and/or anesthesia received and according to preoperative instructions given.
• It is the PATIENT’S responsibility to follow the postoperative instructions given by the physician(s) and/or nurses. This includes instructions regarding postoperative appointments.
• It is the PATIENT’S responsibility to contact the physician if any complications occur.
• It is the PATIENT’S responsibility to ensure that all payments for services rendered are made on a timely basis. The patient is ultimately responsible for payment, and the patient accepts personal financial responsibility for any charges not covered by his/ her insurance, regardless
  of insurance coverage.
• It is the PATIENT’S responsibility to provide financial and/or insurance information regarding who will be responsible for the bill including current address and authorized contact information.
• It is the PATIENT’S responsibility and those accompanying the PATIENT to be respectful of all health care providers and staff, as well as other patients, and to follow the Surgery Center’s policies.
• It is the PATIENT’S responsibility to inform his / her provider about any living will, medical power of attorney, or other directive(s) that could affect his / her care.
• It is the PATIENT’S responsibility to notify the administration of the Surgical Center if the PATIENT or PATIENT REPRESENTATIVE thinks their right(s) have been violated or if the PATIENT has a suggestion, comment, or complaint.

Grievances or Complaints

PATIENTS and/or PATIENT REPRESENTATIVES should contact the office of the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman at https://www.cms.gov/center/special-topic/ombudsman/medicare-beneficiary-ombudsman-home or the State of Missouri Representation if they have a concern or complaint about the Surgery Center. Anyone may file a complaint against a licensed or certified healthcare facility or healthcare provider. A complainant may provide his/her name, address, and phone number to the department. Anonymous complaints may be registered. All complaints are confidential.  

The Missouri Department of Public Health is the responsible agency for Ambulatory Surgical Centers’ complaint investigation. Complaints may be registered with the department by calling 573-751-1588 or faxing 573-751-6010.

Mail written complaints to:

Missouri Department of Health
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570

Suggestions, Comments, or Complaints should be directed to:

ASC Administrative Director
1531 E. Bradford Parkway
Springfield, MO 65804
800-383-3831

Advanced Directives and Living Wills

The Surgery Centers will transfer a patient to the nearest hospital in the event of a medical emergency. These hospitals are:

• Cox Medical Center South
• Cox Medical Center Branson
• Mercy Hospital Joplin or Freeman Hospital West

The hospital upon transfer will make decisions about following the desires set forth in the Advanced Directive or Living Will. If the patient has an Advanced Director or Living Will, a copy of the Advanced Directive is to be supplied to the Surgery Center by the patient to be placed in the medical record. If a patient is transferred emergently to the hospital, a copy of all chart information will be sent with the patient to the hospital, including the Advanced Directive or Living Will.