Student Rights and Responsibilities
The staff of Saint Peter’s University Office of Health Services is dedicated to providing all members of the University community with access to quality health care services. We recognize the responsibility to respect the basic human rights of all patients who seek treatment here, and make every effort to address their needs and concerns.
As a patient, you have the right to:
- Accessible health care regardless of age, race, gender, religion, disability, national origin or sex orientation.
- Be treated with respect for personal dignity and privacy.
- Confidentiality of medical records: unless required by law, records will not be released outside of the Office of Health Services without written consent of the patient.
- Know the identity of the health care professional providing services.
- Expect diagnosis, prognosis, clearly explained methods, and receive all necessary and pertinent information regarding treatment.
- Be informed about any risk of serious side effects.
- The opportunity to participate in decisions related to your health care.
- Refuse treatment or leave Health Services, and you have the right to be informed of the consequences of those decisions.
- Know what alternatives exist for health care and treatment.
- Request information regarding:
- Your rights as a patient
- Your responsibilities as a patient
- Available services
- Hours of operation
- Provisions for after-hours and emergency coverage
- Data contained in your medical record
- A second opinion or referral to an outside facility
- Reasonable environmental safety practices.
The Staff of the Office of Health Services cares for the well-being of the students. They realize that, to be effective, the effort must be a partnership with the patient and the health care team working together. You will be expected, within the limits of your abilities, to share in the responsibility for your health care.
As a patient, you have the responsibility to:
- Provide information to assist in assessment of your medical needs including past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters related to your health to the best of your ability.
- Cooperate with all Health Services personnel caring for you, and to ask questions if you do not understand any information given to you regarding diagnosis, treatment, prognosis or instructions.
- Follow instructions concerning medications, follow-up visits, education and treatment recommendations, and to notify the health care provider if this plan cannot be followed or if condition worsens and does not follow expected course.
- Treat the staff of the Office of Health Services in a respectful manner, to be respectful of others, of other people’s property, and that of The Office of Health Services.
- Keep appointments or to notify The Office of Health Services when you cannot keep a scheduled appointment.
- Complain, without fear of reprisal, about the quality of care and services you receive.
- Carry health insurance information, whether private or that provided by the University, and be familiar with policy coverage.