Health Care Proxy and Anatomical Donations
Health Care Proxy (agent)
The Health Care Proxy (agent) is a simple legal document that allows you to name someone you know and trust to make health care decisions for you if, for any reason and at any time, you become unable to make or communicate those decisions. For more information or assistance in completing the Health Care Proxy form, call the hospital’s patient advocate or a member of care management.
Anatomical Donations
State and Federal regulation require all acute care hospitals to offer patients and families the opportunity for organ and tissue donation.
Concerns
You, your family, your significant other or your guardian have the right to tell us when something is wrong. This is called presenting a complaint. If you present a complaint, your care will not be affected in any way. If you have a problem that you cannot solve with your doctor, nurse or other caregiver, please call the Patient Advocate’s Office or the President’s Office.
If you send a complaint by fax, email or written letter, the patient advocate will acknowledge your communication within two business days.
The patient advocate will contact you, review your complaint, and make every effort to resolve your concerns at that time. The patient advocate will work with other members of the hospital to review and resolve your complaint in a timely manner. Usually this is completed within seven days but if it is not resolved, the patient advocate will contact you directly to discuss current status of your complaint. A letter will be sent to you that will include the name of the hospital contact, steps taken for the review, results of the review, and the completion date.
St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center
President’s Office
617-789-3000
St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center
Patient Advocate
617-789-2040
In addition, you have the right to discuss your concerns with any of the following agencies:
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
67 Forest St.
Marlborough, MA 01752
617-753-8000
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine
200 Harvard Mill Square, Suite 330
Wakefield, MA 01880
800-377-0550
The Joint Commission
Office of Quality and Patient Safety
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Online: https://www.jointcommission.org/report_a_complaint.aspx
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 630-792-5636
Massachusetts Department of Mental Health
Clinical and Professional Services of Licensing
25 Staniford St.
Boston, MA 02114-2575
617-626-8000
In addition, each Medicare beneficiary who is an inpatient will be provided a standardized notice, “An Important Message from Medicare” upon admission and within two days of discharge. This document should be reviewed, signed and dated by the Medicare beneficiary. As a Medicare recipient, you have the right to discuss any concerns around quality of care of services to the patient representative. Additionally, if you are not satisfied, you have the right to contact the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization: 1-866-815-5440, TTY: 1-866-868-2289