Patients’ Bill of Rights

Legislative Intent

It is the intent of the Legislature and the purpose of this statement to promote the interests and well-being of the patients of health care facilities. No health care facility may require a patient to waive these rights as a condition of admission to the facility. Any guardian or conservator of a patient, or in the absence of a guardian or conservator, an interested person, may seek enforcement of these rights on behalf of a patient. An interested person also may seek enforcement of these rights on behalf of a patient who has a guardian or conservator through administrative agencies or in probate court or county court having jurisdiction over guardianships and conservatorships. Pending the outcome of an enforcement proceeding, the health care facility may, in good faith, comply with the instructions of a guardian or conservator. It is the intent of this section that every patient’s civic and religious liberties, including the right to independent personal decisions and knowledge of available choices, shall not be infringed and that the facility shall encourage and assist in the fullest possible exercise of these rights.

Definitions

For the purposes of this statement, “patient” means a person who is admitted to an acute care inpatient facility for a continuous period longer than 24 hours for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment bearing on the physical or mental health of that person. “Patient” also means a minor who is admitted to a residential program as defined in Section 7, Laws of Minnesota 1986, Chapter 326. For purposes of this statement, “patient” also means any person who is receiving mental health treatment on an outpatient basis or in a community support program or other community-based program.

For Questions or Concerns Regarding Your Care

Please call our Patient Relations department at 320-656-7070. We may also be able to help you via the options on our contact us page.

Or contact:

Office of Quality Monitoring
The Joint Commission
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
800-994-6610
patientsafetyreport@jointcommission.org

Inquires or complaints regarding medical treatment or the Patients’ Bill of Rights may be directed to:

Minnesota Board of Medical Practice
2829 University Ave. S.E., Suite 400
Minneapolis, MN 55414-3246
612-617-2130 or 800-657-3709

Office of Health Facility Complaints
P.O. Box 64970
St. Paul, MN 55164-0970
651-201-4201 or 800-369-7994

Inquires regarding access to care or possible premature discharge may be directed to:

Ombudsman for Long-Term Care
P.O. Box 64971
St. Paul, MN 55164-0971
651-431-2555 or 800-657-3591