Encouraging and assisting patients in their treatment decisions
Having to make a difficult medical care
decision for yourself or a loved one can seem like an impossible task
when the time calls, especially with emotions running high. At Novant
Health Thomasville Medical Center, we understand the difficult
position this can create for your family and friends. We are here to
help you with difficult medical decisions as well as inform you of
the legal tools that are available.
For more
information about medical care decisions and your rights as a
patient, call
Advance
directives
An advance directive is a written description of the medical care you
would or would not want in the future if you were unable to speak for
yourself. An advance directive also can include the name of someone
who will make healthcare decisions for you if you cannot make them
for yourself.
We will follow the instructions expressed by your advance directive
to the extent required by law. If
you are unable to make, or make known, medical decisions and do not
have an advance directive, we will obtain consent from your spouse,
parents, guardian, nearest relative or other person authorized to
speak for you. Learn More.
Ethics
committee
There
may be a time when you're called upon to make a decision about
life-sustaining treatment, either for yourself or for a loved one. Thomas Medical Center has an ethics committee to help
you in such circumstances. Learn More.
Lifeline
emergency response
If you live alone
or need additional assurance that help is at your fingertips 24 hours
a day, Lifeline Medical Alert® and its emergency response
feature can meet your, or your loved one’s needs.
You can move freely about your home with the
confidence that if you fall or require assistance, you can push a
button for help and Lifeline will send for it.
Lifeline enables the elderly and
physically-challenged to live in their own home for as long as
possible. It gives peace of mind to their friends and family knowing
that their loved one can get help 24 hours a day, 365
days a year. For more information on Lifeline services, call:
336-718-5746.
Organ
and tissue donation
An average of 17 people die each day due to a lack of available donated
organs. Every organ and tissue donor has the potential to save or
enhance the lives of up to 50 people. By becoming a donor, you have
the power to change someone's life for the better. There is a great
need for organ and tissue donors. By becoming a donor, you can save a
life. Learn More.
Patient
privacy
Thomasville Medical Center staff is committed to protecting your
health information, which is a right you have as detailed in the
federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA was signed into law on August 21, 1996,
Public Law 104-191. This law impacts all areas of the healthcare
industry and was designed to combat waste, fraud and abuse in health
insurance and healthcare delivery. The law is designed to:
-
Protect the privacy, confidentiality and
security of healthcare information.
-
Improve portability and continuity of health
insurance coverage.
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Promote the use of medical savings accounts.
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Improve access to long-term care services and
coverage.
-
Simplify health insurance administration by
standardizing the exchange of administrative and financial data.
Under
federal law, Thomasville Medical Center can only
release your personal health information to those directly involved
with providing your care; however, you have the right to grant access
to your personal medical or billing information to other individuals
or organizations of your choice. If you choose to do so, we require a
written authorization.
For more
information about medical care decisions and your rights as a
patient, call 336-476-2499.