Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Every patient has the right to receive considerate and respectful care in the hospital and to receive the information they require to make informed decisions about their health care.

Complaints and Grievances
Patients and families can express their concerns about any aspect of their hospitalization without fear of retaliation, and/or utilize the hospital's grievance process for unresolved concerns or issues. If you have a complaint, you can attempt to resolve the issue with their caregiver first or with Patient Relations before filing a written complaint. All written complaints are acknowledged within five working days and resolved in a timely fashion.  You also have the right to file a grievance with Banner Health and/or the Colorado Department of Health if you are not satisfied with the resolution of the complaint.

Ethics Committee
Patients and families have the right to access the ethics committee. The ethics committee provides consultation advice, when indicated, to patients, family, staff of North Colorado Medical Center on ethical issues related to patient care. To access the ethics committee, please contact your caregiver, Patient Relations, or the Medical Staff office who will facilitate the consult.

Advance Directives
As a patient, you have a right to know about your illness, possible treatments and likely results. You have a legal right to decide what kind of medical treatment you want, or don't want.  You also have a right to choose a person to make health care decisions for you, if you are unable to do so.  Advance directive documents such as the pre-hospital directive, living will, medical power of attorney and/or mental health care power of attorney helps you exercise these rights.  Please provide a copy of your written advance directives to the hospital and your doctor.  If you need more information, please ask your nurse.