Bill of Rights for Children Teens and Families

In Levine Children's Hospital, You and Your Family Have the Right to:

Respect and Personal Dignity

We will tell you who we are and we will call you by your name. We will take time to listen to you and your family.
We respect the diversity each child and family member brings to Levine Children's Hospital.
Your religious, cultural and personal traditions are important to us.
We will care for you at Levine Children's Hospital no matter:
- what your race or religion is
- if you are a boy or a girl
- where you were born
- what you can and cannot do
- what you look like
- how much money your family has

Family Centered Care

We will make your family as comfortable as possible. All families are different. We want to learn what is important to you and your family.
We will deliver care in a way that supports you and your family.

Information You Can Understand

We will explain things to you in a way that you can understand. You can ask what is happening to you and why.
You have the right to ask questions about anything that is unclear to you.
You can have someone from your family or another support person with you when people in the hospital are explaining things to you.
You have the right to know the policies, procedures and routines of the hospital.
You have the right to know the hospital's process for taking care of your concerns or complaints.
You have the right to detailed information about your child's hospital bill.
We are committed to working together as a team to provide a caring environment in which patients and family members are treated with integrity.

Quality Healthcare

We recognize healthcare providers and family members are partners working together to best meet the needs of the child.
You will be taken care of by doctors, nurses and other people who know about children and teenagers.
You have the right to ask who the people are that take care of you in the hospital.
We will work together with you and your family to make your stay in the hospital as short and as comfortable as possible.
We respect your knowledge regarding your child. We also respect the choices and decisions you make regarding your child's care.
You have the right to know about treatment options. You have the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the consequences of the refusal.
We recognize caregivers must be flexible in the care we provide so that we are better able to meet the needs and preferences of your family.
Before you leave the hospital we will teach you and your family about the care you will need. We will tell you about people and places in your community that can help you.

Emotional Support

We will help you cope with your child's illness by meeting the social, developmental and emotional needs of the child and by fostering your family's confidence in their ability to care for your child.
It is all right to feel scared, angry lonely or sad. You can tell us how you feel. It is all right to cry. It is all right to laugh.
You can have your family with you as much as possible.
You can wear your own clothing most of the time and keep your special things with you.

Care That Respects Your Need to Grow, Play and Learn

We will make sure that you have places and times for the things children your age need to grow and learn.
We will try to keep your schedule and activities as normal as possible.

Make Choices and Decisions

We recognize your family has the right and authority to care for you and we empower you and them to make treatment decisions.
You can make choices whenever possible. Sometimes you can help decide when and where you get your treatments.
You can tell us how you want to take part in your plan of care.
You have the right to any information you need to make choices and decisions.
We will work in partnership with you to make decisions about your plan of care.
You can ask for a second opinion.
We will provide information you need to make educated choices about your child's care and support the choices you make.
We respect and value the information you provide to our medical team concerning your child and we will provide appropriate medical information to you regarding your child's care.