Patient Rights

The following rights are yours — we believe in them and in your worth as special God-given human beings. Along with rights come responsibilities, and we expect responsible behavior and recovery. Should you feel at anytime your rights are violated, please use the patient procedures as outlined. You are responsible for your treatment and recovery; our responsibility is to facilitate your personal program. Together, we can rejoice in your discovery of new peace, hope and chemical-freedom!

1. Every patient has the right to be treated without regard to physical or mental disability, religious preference, race, creed or color, unless such conditions make treatment at Rimrock Foundation non-beneficial or hazardous.
2. Every patient has the right to have all clinical and personal information treated confidentially in communications with individuals not directly associated with the Rimrock Foundation. Release of information of a clinical or personal nature can only be done with the express written approval of the patient. The one exception to this policy is when not releasing such information would be in direct violation of state and/or federal law. Information will be released to Foundation staff on a need-to-know basis.
3. Each patient has the right to a reasonable opportunity to practice the religion of his/her choice, alone or in private, in-so-far as such religious practice does not infringe on the rights and treatment of others or the treatment program. The patient also has the right to be excused from any religious practice.
4. The patient shall not be refused the right to communicate with his/her family in emergency situations.
5. No patient will be subjected by staff to physical abuse, corporal punishment or other forms of abuse administered against their will, including being denied food, clothing, or other basic necessities.
6. Each patient has the right to services which reflect an awareness and sensitivity to special needs according to their sex, specifically, sleeping quarters and bathing accommodations.
7. Every patient has the right to respectful and considerate care.
8. Every patient shall be fully informed, prior to or at the time of admission and during his/her stay at our facility, of the rights and responsibilities set forth in this statement of Patient Rights, and of all rules governing patient conduct and responsibilities.

Problem Resolution Procedures

Rimrock Foundation believes each patient is entitled to have the opportunity to resolve care-related non-emergency problems promptly and fairly. The following procedures are available for problem resolution. Administration may, upon receipt of the form, request the patient fill out an incident report form and conduct a personal interview. Forms are available in the Medical Unit.

1. The primary counselor assigned each patient is the initial contact person for problem resolution. Prior to other measures, a counseling session with the primary counselor should be used for communication of problems.
2. The unit supervisor is available to meet with any patient who may be experiencing problems which cannot be resolved by your primary counselor. The supervisor may be contacted through the nursing station.
3. The weekly town meeting, in which patients meet with administration for program evaluation and discussion, is an opportunity for problem-sharing. The written evaluation form used at these sessions is a confidential form and provides for confidential complaints.
4. When a care-related problem is not resolved through the primary counselor, the unit supervisor or the town meeting, the patient should use the written form to communicate. Administration may, upon receipt of the form, request the patient fill out an incident report form and conduct a personal interview. The written report received by administration is forwarded to the President of the Board of Directors, who may in turn review the issue with the patient.
5. The exception to these procedures are emergency events or crisis situations in which patients should immediately fill out incident report forms obtained from the nursing station, and which should be promptly returned to the nurse in charge for immediate attention.