There's A Star In Every Story
Astera Health is committed to providing a high standard of care, safety, and hospitality for patients and their families.
Our Commitment to You
Our organization strives to provide comprehensive, quality healthcare in a spirit of personal safety and concern. In an effort to accomplish this goal, we believe that you, as our patient, and/or your significant other may have the responsibility to make decisions regarding your health care.
It is the policy of Astera to support and care for all patients in a manner and in an environment that promotes quality of life with emphasis placed on dignity, choice, and self-determination. In addition, Astera will strive to protect and promote patients’ rights and responsibilities without interference, coercion, or discrimination.
CONTACT US
Toll-Free: 800-631-1811
Phone: 218-631-3510
Contact for the Department of Health:
Office of Health Facility Complaints
85 E. Seventh Place, Suite 220
P.O. Box 64970
St. Paul, MN 55164-0970
Toll-Free: 800-369-7994
Phone: 651-201-4201
Minnesota Board of Medical Practice
2829 University Ave. SE, Suite 500
Minneapolis, MN 55414-3246
Toll-Free: 800-657-3709
Phone: 612-617-2130
Your Rights
- You have the right to receive considerate, respectful, compassionate, and appropriate care regardless of your age, gender, race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, culture, language, socioeconomic status, or physical or mental disabilities.
- You have the right to have your cultural and personal values, beliefs, and preferences respected.
- You have the right to be treated by medical and non-medical personnel with consideration, dignity, and respect, in a safe environment that is free from all forms of abuse, neglect, harassment, and/or exploitation.
- You can expect full consideration of your privacy and confidentiality in care discussions, examinations and treatments. You may ask for a chaperone during any type of examination.
- You have the right to access protective and advocacy services or have these services accessed on your behalf in cases of abuse or neglect. A list can be made available at your request.
- You have the right to access and accommodation of religious and other spiritual services.
- You have the right to designate visitors, including but not limited to spouse, domestic partner, family members, and friends, and you have the right to withdraw or deny consent at any time. It is our goal to ensure that all visitors enjoy full and equal visitation privileges consistent with patient, or appointed decision maker preferences.
- You have the right to examine and receive an explanation of your bill regardless of your source of payment.
- You have the right to have your pain assessed and to be involved in decisions about managing your pain.
- You have the right to remain free from seclusion or restraints of any form not medically required.
- You have the right to receive reasonable continuity of care.
- You have the right to have your primary physician promptly notified of your admission to this hospital.
- You have the right to be called by your proper name.
- You have the right to be told the name(s) of the physician(s) who has/have the primary responsibility for coordinating your care and other healthcare team members involved in your care.
- You have the right to have all of your patient’s rights apply to the person who may have legal responsibility to make decisions regarding medical care on your behalf, including the right to refuse care, treatment, and services on the patient’s behalf in accordance with law and regulation.
- You and your family members or friends, with your permission, have the right to participate in decisions about your care, treatment and services provided, including the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law. If you leave the hospital against the advice of your doctor, the hospital and doctors will not be responsible for any medical consequences that may occur.
- You, or your surrogate decision maker, have the right to receive information from your physician about your illness, course of treatment, outcomes of care (including unanticipated outcomes), and your prospects for recovery in terms that you can understand.
- You have the right to participate in the development and implementation of your care and actively participate in decisions regarding your medical care. To the extent permitted by law, this includes your right to request or refuse treatment.
- You have the right to obtain from your physician information concerning current diagnosis, treatment plan (including risks and benefits), alternate plans, and prognoses in order to give informed consent or refuse treatment. In the event that you choose to refuse treatment, you have the right to be informed of the medical consequences of that decision.
- You have the right to agree or refuse to take part in medical research studies. You may at any time withdraw from a study.
- You can expect that all communication and records about your care are confidential, unless disclosure is allowed by law. You have the right to see or get a copy of your medical records and have that information explained, within a reasonable time frame. Written permission will be obtained from you, or the person who has legal responsibility to make decisions for you, before medical records are released to anyone not directly related and/or involved in your care.
- You have the right to formulate advance directives regarding your health care, and have hospital staff and practitioners who provide care in the hospital comply with these directives (to the extent provided by state laws and regulations). If you do not have an advance directive, we can provide you with information and assist you in completing one.
- You have the right to be communicated with in a manner that meets your needs. This may include sign language or foreign language interpreter services. We will provide services as needed.
- You, or a family member, has the right to discuss any ethical issues as they relate to your care. You may contact the hospital social worker, in-patient nurse manager, or the director of patient care services to discuss these concerns.
- You have the right to be involved in your discharge plan. You can expect to be told in a timely manner of the need for planning your discharge or transfer to another facility or level of care.
- You have the right to voice your concerns about the care you receive. If you have a problem or complaint, you may talk with your physician, the inpatient nurse manager, director of patient care services, or the hospital social worker.
Your Responsibilities
- Provide accurate and up-to-date information regarding your health and report any changes in how you feel to your health care providers.
- Ask questions until the plan of medical treatment is clearly understood.
- Make informed decisions.
- Follow the chosen treatment plan, know the medications you are taking, know who is taking care of you, and know your health insurance coverage.
- If you have one, provide a copy of your advance directive to your caregiver.
- Respect others’ privacy and property, and assist staff in the control of noise, smoking, and the number of visitors.