The staff and doctors at Carle respect the dignity and rights of each individual and take seriously our responsibility to provide the highest quality of medical care available. You and your family have rights and responsibilities under state and federal law. We want you to understand these rights and responsibilities. If for any reason you do not understand these rights and responsibilities, we will provide assistance, including an interpreter. If you need other assistance, please contact our Patient Relations Liaison at (217) 326-8560 or toll free at (855) 665-8252 or patient.relations@carle.com.
Every Woman has the Following Rights With Regard to Pregnancy and Childbirth:
- Receive health care before, during, and after pregnancy and childbirth.
- Receive care for you and your infant that is consistent with generally accepted medical standards.
- Choose a certified nurse midwife or physician as your maternity care professional.
- Choose your birth setting from the full range of birthing options available in her community.
- Leave your maternity care professional and select another if you become dissatisfied with your care, except as otherwise provided by law.
- Receive information about the names of those health care professionals involved in your care.
- Privacy and confidentiality of records, except as provided by law.
- Receive information concerning your condition and proposed treatment, including methods of relieving pain.
- Accept or refuse any treatment, to the extent medically possible.
- Be informed if your caregivers wish to enroll you or your infant in a research study in accordance with Section 3.1 of this Act.
- Access your medical records in accordance with Section 8-2001 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
- Receive information in a language in which you can communicate in accordance with federal law.
- Receive emotional and physical support during labor and birth.
- Freedom of movement during labor and to give birth in the position of your choice, within generally accepted medical standards.
- Contact with your newborn, except where necessary care must be provided to the mother or infant.
- Receive information about breastfeeding.
- Decide collaboratively with caregivers when you and your baby will leave the birth site for home, based on their conditions and circumstances.
- Be treated with respect at all times before, during, and after pregnancy by your health care professionals.
- Of each patient, regardless of source of payment, to examine and receive a reasonable explanation of your total bill for services rendered by your maternity care professional or health care provider, including itemized charges for specific services received. Each maternity care professional or health care provider shall be responsible only for a reasonable explanation of those specific services provided by the maternity care professional or health care provider.