Patient & Family Experience

We have a policy for missed appointments at all Women & Infants’ physician practices. If you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment, please give us at least 24 hours notice. If you do not give us 24 hour notice, or if you do not show up for a scheduled appointment, you may be charged a $30 fee for a missed office visit or $100 for a missed procedure or testing appointment.

We realize that some things happen that are out of our control, so you will not be charged for your first missed appointment. However, you will be charged for any other missed appointments.  

To help, we will begin calling all patients to confirm appointments. We will also remind you of any referrals or authorizations that may be needed. We ask that you please show up on time for your scheduled appointment.

Women & Infants Hospital is committed to respecting and protecting your rights as a patient here. We want to provide the best care for your needs. This bill of rights tells you about our commitment to you, and your rights and responsibilities as a patient.

• You have the right to be treated with respect and courtesy.
• You have the right to have your privacy respected, and to expect only necessary hospital staff to examine you, discuss your treatment, and review your medical record.
• You have a right to confidentiality of all records and communications concerning your medical history and treatment, as stated in Rhode Island law.
• You have the right to know the name of the doctor and other hospital staff responsible for your health care.
• You have the right to participate as an important member of your health care team.
• You have the right to know about your diagnosis, treatment plan and options, and the expected results of treatment, in understandable terms.
• You have the right to ask for more information if you do not understand something about your care.
• You have the right to all reasonable medical services provided by the hospital, at the request of your physician.
• You have the right to ask for services commonly provided by the hospital that are consistent with your treatment, and do not require your physician's approval.
• You have the right to appropriate assessment and management of pain.
• You have the right to ask for patient care information related to the hospital's association with other hospitals, health care centers, schools, and universities, which take part in your treatment.
• You have the right to receive care, treatment and services regardless of your age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, culture, language, disability, marital status, education, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, income, or who will pay your bill.
• You have the right to ask for sensitivity and support for your religious beliefs and spiritual needs.
• You have the right to talk with your physician about any concerns you may have about your treatment. If you continue to have concerns, please contact the hospital's senior vice president of patient care services.
• You have the right to refuse treatment, as stated in the hospital policy and Rhode Island law. You have the right to fully understand, and to refuse to participate in, an experimental project.
• You have the right to review any of the hospital's rules and regulations that specifically relate to your treatment.
• You have the right to be told if a transfer to another hospital is needed and what the options are, before you are moved.
• You have the right to ask your physician about the care you will need after you are discharged, and the people and agencies in your community who can help you.
• You have the right to ask for and receive information about financial assistance and free health care.
• You have the right to use a personal, portable television set in your hospital room that meets the underwriters' laboratory standards and U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration standards.
• You have the right to receive a total medical bill within 30 days of discharge from the hospital. You have the right to ask for an itemized bill and an explanation of the bill, regardless of the payment source.
• You have the right to receive a copy of your medical record free, within 30 days of your request, if you show that your request is to support a claim or appeal under any condition of the Social Security Act in any federal or state financial needs-based benefit program.

Your Responsibilities as a Patient

• You have the responsibility to share your medical history completely so that together we can develop a care plan that is best for you.
• You have the responsibility to do the things you agreed to do in your treatment plan. If you cannot follow the plan, please tell us.
• You have the responsibility to respect the rights and property of other patients, families and hospital staff.
• You have the responsibility to follow the hospital's rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.
• You have the responsibility to not discuss or repeat information about other patients or families. You have the responsibility to pay your hospital bill promptly, as stated in the hospital's policies.
• You have the responsibility to provide a written request to the hospital for health records and documentation to support an appeal under the Social Security Act.
• Our goal is to exceed every patient's expectations.
• To assist us, please share any concerns and suggestions with us at anytime by dialing (401) 274-1100 and asking the hospital operator to connect you with a hospital administrator. A hospital administrator is on-call 24 hours a day to assist you. The Rhode Island Department of Health also has a concern line you may call: (401) 222-2566 .