Patient Responsibilities

As a patient of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, I have these responsibilities:

Provide and Request Information

• To pay attention to changes in my body and how I feel and tell the staff so they will know, too.
• To ask questions if I do not understand something that is being done for me or not done for me, including any changes in my care plan.
• To tell staff what they need to know to take care of me, including past medical history.
• To let the staff know anything that I am taking in addition to the medicines I get at St. Jude.
• To let the staff or someone know if I feel abused, neglected, harassed, unsafe, or have experienced incorrect behavior.
• To ensure that the hospital has a copy of my written advance directive if I have one.
• To bring a copy of custody paperwork identifying the legal decision-maker for health care consent purposes.

Cooperate

• To cooperate with the hospital staff in my treatment, come to scheduled appointments (or let staff know), and follow staff directions.
• To come prepared for appointments based on my needs and the staff’s requests.
• To follow the hospital rules as they have been told to me and ask for help when I do not understand them.
• To comply with St. Jude infection control policies and guidelines.
• To take part in my treatment-related care, and ask questions when I do not understand.

Respect

• To be polite and thoughtful about other people’s needs, including being alone, having privacy, and having quiet time.
• To help maintain a calm, safe environment for myself and for all patients and those with them, and to let staff know when I need help with this.
• To be considerate and respectful of other patients and staff.
• To express my feelings in a way that helps me and does not hurt others.