Patients' Rights and Responsibilities for Families & Children

We welcome children of all ages and their families. You and your child (“you”) are a member of our healthcare team. We will work with you to provide the best care possible.

We will...

  • Work with you to make sure you receive the care you need.
  • Tell you the names of the people on the care team.
  • Give you the information you need to make decisions about treatment.
  • Welcome questions about care.
  • Respect that you know your child best.
  • Welcome you at your child’s side day or night.

To help us serve you better, please...

  • Tell us what you need.
  • Tell us everything you know about your child’s health.
  • Tell us if you are in pain – we will respond as quickly as possible.
  • Let us know if we were not clear with information or instructions so you can follow the recommended treatment plan.
  • Let us know if you would like help understanding your bill and responsibilities for payment.
  • Let us know if you would like us to notify your doctor and a person of your choice if you are hospitalized.
  • Respect our rules about visitors to the hospital.
  • Respect others’ dignity, privacy, and safety by following our rules and regulations.

Decision-making

You have the right to make decisions about care, including the right to:

  • Refuse treatment or services as the law allows, after being informed of the consequences.
  • Be fully informed of, and accept or refuse, any research or trial treatments used in your care. Refusal will not affect care, treatment or services unrelated to the research.
  • Withhold or withdraw consent regarding your confidential health information at any time, as allowed by law, after being informed of the consequences.

Respectful Care

You have the right to polite, respectful, quality care, including the right to:

  • Receive care free from all forms of discrimination
  • Receive care that promotes personal dignity and safety.
  • Receive care in the least restrictive environment available.
  • Receive care that respects spiritual and cultural needs.
  • Be free from neglect, abuse, exploitation, or harassment.
  • Be free from restraint or seclusion unless it is needed for your safety or the safety of others. If restraint or seclusion has to be used, it will be stopped as soon as possible.

Privacy 

You have the right to privacy, including to: 

  • Protection of the right to privacy and confidentiality as described in Lurie Children's Notice of Privacy Practices.
  • Anonymous HIV/AIDS status testing.
  • Confidentiality regarding HIV/AIDS status and testing.
  • Expect that all communication and records related to care will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.
  • Have personal privacy respected during care, examination, and treatment.
  • Access protective or advocacy services.
  • Receive information about visitation rights, and refuse visitors or calls at any time
  • Receive information about our visitation rights policy
  • Choose the visitors, including a family member or friend, unless visitors interfere with your medical condition or treatment.
  • Request a copy of your medical records.
  • Request a change be made to medical record as permitted by law.
  • Request information about how medical information has been shared or disclosed as allowable by law.

Inquiries

You have the right to share concerns, grievances or complaints about care and receive a prompt response.

  • Please contact the Medical Center's Patient Relations Office at 312.227.4940 to share a concern or complaint.
  • You may contact the Illinois Department of Public Health at 525 W. Jefferson St., 5th Floor, Springfield, IL 62761, 1.800.252.4343 (24-hour hotline) or 217.782.2913;
  • The Joint Commission is our healthcare accreditor. Their preferred method for submitting a concern is through their online submission form as it allows for more direct, timely receipt and review of your concerns. Or, you can download the form and submit by mail to:

    Office of Quality and Patient SafetyThe Joint CommissionOne Renaissance BoulevardOakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181

  • “Patients' Rights and Responsibilities for Families and Children” is distributed to all inpatients and their families through the Inpatient “Welcome Book”, and it is posted in all waiting areas and parent lounges of the Medical Center in English and Spanish. “Patient’s Rights and Responsibilities for Families and Children” is also printed and available in other frequently used languages.

We are committed to providing the best care within our capabilities to all patients regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, culture, language, age, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, HIV status, or disability in the treatment of patients and their families.