Respect & personal dignity

Children and teens, and their families, will be treated by Legacy with dignity and respect. Based on medical need, each patient will receive impartial access to treatment and accommodations without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, religious background, sexual orientation, gender identity or the source of payment for care.

In Legacy hospitals, children, teens and their families have the right to: 

Respect and personal dignity 
You are important, and we will listen to you and explain our role in your child's care. We will honor your privacyand anything you tell us in confidence will be kept private in accordance with our Notice of Privacy Practices.

Care that supports you as a family
We will help make your child as safe and comfortable as possible. You can stay with your child during most medical treatments and spend the night in the hospital with or near your child if you choose.  

Information you can understand
We will explain things to you in ways you can understand. If needed, someone who speaks your language will assist. You have a right to know about your child's condition and treatment plan and to see and review your child's medical records with health care personnel. You have the right to detailed information about your child's hospital bill and the hospital's policies and procedures.  

Quality health care
You can meet with your child's caregivers in the hospital and plan what is best for your child. We'll let you knowabout treatment options. If any treatment is experimental, you will receive a full explanation and have the option to accept or refuse treatment. We will teach you about home care and community resources for your child, if applicable.

Emotional support
We will respect your feelings and your child's feelings. Supportive resources are available to help address your needs. Your child will know that it's OK to cry or complain and can talk or play with people who know how to help when he or she has questions or problems. We can help connect you and your child with children and families who have had experiences like yours.

Make choices and decisions
You may tell us how you want to participate in care, and make choices whenever possible. You may refuse restraint or sedation for your child, except when needed to carry out procedures or to protect your child from injuring him or herself or others. You may refuse treatments as permitted by law. You can ask for a second opinion from another doctor and for a specialist to see your child. You can ask to change hospitals. If it is necessary to transfer your child to another hospital, we will make every effort to inform you of all the details of your child's care before the move. 

Appropriate pain management for your child
We will be honest with you and your child about the type of pain he or she may experience so that both of you feel prepared. You can also be present during painful procedures and hold your child, when possible. In addition to pain medication, we use methods such as distraction and visualization to help your child cope with pain. You can expect our health professionals to respond quickly to reports of pain using state-of-the-art pain management tools geared to children. We will respond to any pain you or your child report. You have a right to ask your child's doctor or nurse about what to expect, to discuss pain relief options, and to work with them to make a pain relief plan for your child. You have a right to tell our staff about any pain your child has that will not go away and to express any concern about your child becoming dependent on pain medication.

Care that respects your child's growth and development
We will consider all your child's interests and needs, not just those related to illness or disability. We will try to keep your child's schedule and activities as normal as possible. 

Families have the responsibility to:

Provide information
You have important information about your child's health. We ask you to provide accurate information about your child's symptoms, treatments, medicines and other illnesses. Please let us know if you do not understand something or if you are not satisfied with your child's care.

Actively participate
We expect that you will actively participate in decisions regarding your child's care. We will develop a plan of carewith you for your child; please tell us how you want to take part in your child's care. It is important for your child that you follow the plan. If you cannot, please tell us. Our partnership with each other will enhance the care you and your child receive.

Respect the rights of others
Many patients and families are going through difficult emotional times. We ask you to respect the rights and privacy of other children, families and hospital personnel.