Your Rights

  • You have the right to considerate and respectful care (in a non-discriminatory manner).
  • You have the right, whenever possible to select your own clinician.
  • You have the right to be informed of the name, qualifications and credentials of your health care provider(s) and request a different provider if other providers are available.
  • You have the right to privacy concerning your healthcare and confidentiality of your personal health information. You have the right to receive complete information regarding your medical condition including the diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, benefits, risks, possible side effects and treatment alternatives for your health problem.
  • You have the right to receive necessary information, have access to and review your medical record with a clinician in order to provide informed consent prior to the start of any procedure, test or treatment.
  • You have the right to refuse treatment, or to ask for a second opinion, or alternate course of treatment, and to be informed of the medical consequences of your actions.
  • You have the right to ask for a prescription for an outside pharmacy, or to have diagnostic tests performed at another facility at your own expense.
  • You have the right to receive an explanation of any service charges incurred.
  • You have the right to comment on your care in a confidential manner and to receive a response. Comments can be submitted online, via lobby suggestion box, or by telephone.
  • You have the right to request and receive a copy of your medical record.
  • You have the right to express suggestions and/or grievances to the SHC Director or other appropriate person. Grievances can be submitted online, via lobby suggestion box, or by telephone.
  • You have the right to refuse to participate in research, including surveys and studies.
  • You have the right to participate in decisions involving your health care, except when such participation is contraindicated for medical reasons.
  • You have the right to be provided, as required by law, a Notice of Health Center Privacy Practices.

Your Responsibilities

  • It is your responsibility to be respectful and considerate to your clinician, Student Health Center staff and other patients in conformity with the California State University Stanislaus Student Code of Conduct.
  • It is your responsibility to provide complete, accurate, and honest information about your health, medications, including over-the-counter products and dietary supplements, allergies or sensitivities, and current symptoms and concerns to your clinician so that he/she can make the best decisions about your healthcare.
  • It is your responsibility to consider all the information you are given about your care.
  • It is your responsibility, if you agree to a course of treatment, to follow the prescribed instructions, including completing medication and returning for follow-up appointments.
  • It is your responsibility to ask questions if you do not understand your course of treatment.
  • It is your responsibility to report any significant changes in symptoms or failure to improve.
  • It is your responsibility to understand and accept the consequences of refusing or not complying with treatment.
  • It is your responsibility to arrive for your appointment on time or cancel your appointment in advance.
  • It is your responsibility to accept personal financial responsibility for any expenses not covered by the health fee and promptly pay any billed charges. You should be aware that any services obtained outside the Student Health Center are your financial responsibility.
  • It is your responsibility to provide a responsible adult to transport you home from the Student Health Center and remain with you for 24 hours, if indicated by your medical condition and recommended by your provider.

Confidentiality

Any information you provide to Student Health Center staff is protected by federal and state law as well as by University and Student Health Center policy. Medical records are confidential and entirely separate from academic records. Except for Student Health Center staff, no member of the University faculty, administration, or staff may see your medical record without your written consent. Parents may not see your record or obtain any information about your medical condition without your consent (see exception, below).

No information is released without the specific written permission of the student to whom the record pertains, except in the following cases:

  • Parents of a student who is less than 18 years of age (a legal minor) are notified when a student is seriously ill
  • Certain communicable diseases and conditions are reported to the County Public Health Official as required by law
  • Court order

Records are retained for seven years after the date of your last visit.

The Student Health Center FERPA Notice of Privacy Practices is available online.

The Student Health Center HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices is available online.

Advance Directive Information

An Advance Directive is a document that you complete to describe the kinds of medical care you wish to receive in the event something happens to you and can’t speak for yourself. It tells your family and your doctor what to do if you are badly injured or have a serious illness that keeps you from saying what you want. An Advance Directive can be a great talk to have with your family and your doctor about the kinds of care you want to have.

Additional information on Advance Directives can be found on Advance Directive webMD or the State of California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General.

Updated: December 09, 2021