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Our Patient and Visitor Code of Conduct
At Wooster Community Hospital, we are committed to providing high-quality care to our patients and community in a safe and respectful environment that supports health and healing.
To fulfill this mission, we kindly request that all patients and visitors abide by our Patient and Visitor Code of Conduct, aligning their behaviors with our commitment to safety, respect, and inclusiveness.
This includes the following:
- All patients will treat everyone with kindness, dignity, and respect, expecting the same in return. Any comments or behaviors offensive to race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or personal traits will not be tolerated. It is unacceptable to refuse to see a clinician or staff member based on these traits.
- All patients and visitors are expected to exhibit respectful and appropriate behavior and language. Our facility strictly enforces a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of verbal or physical threat, assault, improper remarks, or gestures.
- All patients and visitors are expected to honor the privacy of others, without interfering with the care or experience of other patients.
- All patients and visitors must receive consent from all involved parties before photographing, video-recording, or audio-recording within the hospital and patient care locations.
For our hospitalized patients, additional guidelines include:
- Staying on the unit for their protection and to ensure prompt attention to care needs.This allows for prompt testing, timely medication administration, and frequent assessment by healthcare providers. We encourage patients to walk in their unit hallway.
- If a patient chooses to leave the unit, a therapeutic plan for being off the unit should be developed in agreement with their physician and nursing teambefore leaving the unit.
- Departing the unit without an approved therapeutic plan may be considered leaving against medical advice and could result in your discharge.
Non-adherence to these guidelines will lead to:
- The potential dismissal of patients for their non-emergent immediate care.
- An opportunity to present their perspective in cases of non-compliance. This will be considered for any decisions regarding their future care at Wooster Community Hospital.
- Severe violations might lead to a No Trespass Order, requiring approval for future non-emergent care at the hospital. Emergency care can still be sought.
- Visitors may be asked to leave and might face limitations on future visits.
Our dedicated team of providers, nurses, and staff commit daily to ensuring the highest levels of care. Please join us in upholding this commitment and fostering a supportive and courteous environment.
Thank you for choosing Wooster Community Hospital and for your adherence to our Code of Conduct.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Patient and Visitor Code of Conduct at Wooster Community Hospital is a collection of rules and guidelines designed to maintain safety, consideration, and inclusivity within our hospital and care locations. This code is set in place for the well-being of not only our patients and visitors, but also our providers, nurses, and staff members.
We have implemented the Code of Conduct to reinforce Wooster Community Hospital’s commitment to providing the highest levels of care to our patients. We insist that our patients and visitors reciprocate the same respect and kindness that our staff and providers extend to them. This initiative is in response to a growing pattern of violence directed at healthcare workers observed in our region and across the country.
Our Code of Conduct ensures that all patients and visitors uphold the following standards:
- Treating all individuals with dignity, respect, and kindness. Offensive remarks based on one's race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or personal traits are strictly unacceptable.
- Using respectful language and behavior. We do not tolerate verbal or physical threats or assaults, or any obscene expressions, gestures, or actions.
- Respecting patient privacy and not disrupting another patient’s care or experience.
- Gaining consent from all parties involved before photographing or recording audio/videos within any of our hospital and patient care locations.
Witnesses or victims of any unacceptable behavior are encouraged to report immediately to a member of their care team or to a Wooster Community Hospital Security Officer.
Failure to follow the guidelines of our Code of Conduct may result in:
- The patient being asked to exit the premises and seek non-emergency care elsewhere.
- The issuance of a No Trespass order for severe violations.
- Requiring patients needing to receive approval prior to seeking non-emergency care at our hospital.
However, patients may still access emergency care when needed.
Every perspective matters to us. In case of a reported violation, we encourage a dialogue where the patient/visitor can explain their standpoint, and it will be thoughtfully considered before making any decisions regarding their future care at our hospital.
