Patient Bill of Rights & Responsibilities

The University of Florida Student Health Care Center (SHCC) recognizes its responsibility to respect the basic human rights of patients who seek treatment here, regardless of race, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or sources of payment for care. The SHCC actively encourages patients to assume responsibility for their own health and welfare. In order for health care to be effective, the patient and the health care team must form a partnership, with both working together for a common goal. As such, the SHCC observes the following:

Rights and Responsibilities of ALL SHCC Patients:

       A. SHCC patients are treated with respect, consideration and dignity.  SHCC patients have a right to competent, humane treatment, with appropriate respect for their opinions and beliefs in the process of receiving health care.

       1. SHCC patients are provided with appropriate privacy, including protection from access to their confidential information from faculty and staff who are not responsible for direct health care, and by other students working at the health service.
        a. At check-in
        b. In evaluation and treatment areas
      2. When the need arises, SHCC patients are provided interpretation services.
      3. SHCC patients are provided, to the degree known, complete information regarding their diagnosis, evaluation, treatment and prognosis. When concern for a patient’s health makes it inadvisable to give such information, it is provided to a person designated by the patient or to a legally authorized person.
      4. SHCC patients are given the opportunity to participate in decisions involving their health care, except when such participation is contraindicated for medical reasons. Patients wanting to to request changing primary care providers, please notify someone on your assigned team, email the request to www.shcc.ufl.edu the online comment card, or notify the Quality Officer or designee to www.shcc-qi@mail.ufl.edu or 352-273-7441.

     B. Prior to receiving care, SHCC patients are informed of their rights.

Information is available to patients and staff regarding:
     1. The SHCC policy on the rights and responsibilities of patients including those specified above.
     2. Methods for expressing grievances regarding treatment or care, whenever indicated, rather than remaining silent, in order to assist the SHCC in improving the quality of SHCC health care and educational services. See contact info below.
     3. Methods for providing feedback, including complaints and suggestions through the use of a comment card, online comment card (www.shcc.ufl.edu ), or by contacting the Quality Officer (shcc-qi@mail.ufl.edu or 352-294-7441).  This information is posted on the SHCC website under “Contact/Feedback form” as well as on the comment boxes in multiple places around the facility and satellite clinics.  The patient rights document is posted in every clinical area.
     4. Right to change primary or specialty health care providers if other qualified health care providers are available.
     5. Advance directives, as required by state or federal law and regulations
     6. Policy on the treatment of a minor not accompanied by an adult, consistent with applicable federal and state regulations.
     7. Not to be misled by marketing or advertising regarding the competence or capabilities of the SHCC.
     8. Consequences of refusing treatment or not complying with therapy.

     C. Prior to receiving care, patients are informed of their responsibilities.

SHCC patients are informed of their responsibility to:
     1. Provide complete and accurate information to the best of his/her ability about his/her health, any medications taken, including over-the-counter products and dietary supplements and any allergies or sensitivities.
     2. Follow the agreed upon treatment plan prescribed by his/her provider and participate in his/her care.
     3. Provide a responsible adult to transport him/her home from the facility and remain with him/her for 24 hours, if so required by the provider.
     4. Accept personal financial responsibility for any charges not covered by insurance.
     5. Behave respectfully toward all health care professionals and staff, as well as other patients.
     6. Keep appointments or to contact the SHCC via telephone or electronic means when a scheduled appointment cannot be kept.

     D. Information about the organization is available to SHCC patients.

At minimum, the following information is available to patients.
     1. Services available at the SHCC and how to access them. Eligibility of patients for services, defining services covered by prepaid student fees and those requiring additional fees.
     2. Provisions for after-hours and emergency care.
     3. Fees for services.
     4. Payment policies.
     5. The credentials of health care professionals.
     6. The absence of malpractice insurance, if applicable.