Patients' Rights & Hospital Policy
Kameda Medical Center is committed to providing a safe and respectful environment where every patient can receive care with dignity and peace of mind. This page outlines the rights and responsibilities of inpatients, as well as our hospital policies.
1. Patient Rights
1. The Right to Quality Medical Care
Every patient is entitled to appropriate medical care without discrimination based on race, nationality, religion, gender, age, social status, or type of illness.
2. The Right to Be Respected as an Individual
Each patient's personality, values, privacy, and religious or cultural background will be respected.
3. The Right to Receive and Understand Information
Patients are entitled to clear explanations regarding their medical condition, examinations, treatment plans, prognosis, and medical fees. Medical interpretation services are available as needed.
4. The Right to Informed Consent and Choice
Patients have the right to accept, refuse, or choose among the proposed treatment options based on their own decision.
5. The Right to Seek a Second Opinion
Patients may request the opinion of physicians at other medical institutions.
6. The Right to Access Medical Records
Patients may request disclosure of their own medical records through the prescribed procedure.
7. The Right to Privacy
Personal and medical information is strictly managed in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
8. The Right to File Complaints
Patients may submit feedback or complaints regarding care and services without fear of disadvantage.
2. Patient Responsibilities
To ensure safe and high-quality care, we kindly ask patients to cooperate as follows:
- Provide accurate information about your medical history, current medications, allergies, and overall health condition.
- Ask questions whenever any part of your treatment plan is unclear.
- Follow the instructions of the medical team and comply with hospital rules.
- Respect the rights and safety of other patients and staff members.
- Pay medical fees by the designated method and due date.
3. Hospital Policies
3.1 Smoking Policy
Kameda Medical Center is a completely smoke-free facility. Smoking is prohibited throughout the entire premises, both indoors and outdoors. Electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products are also prohibited.
3.2 Alcohol Policy
Bringing alcoholic beverages into the hospital, as well as consuming alcohol within the premises, is strictly prohibited.
3.3 Prohibited Items
Knives, firearms, and any other dangerous items are strictly prohibited on hospital premises.
3.4 Mobile Phones & Electronic Devices
Mobile phones and electronic devices may be used in patient rooms and designated areas. However, please refrain from using them in areas where they may interfere with medical equipment, such as the ICU and around operating rooms. When making calls, please be considerate of other patients.
3.5 Photography & Recording
Unauthorized photography, video, or audio recording of medical staff, other patients, or hospital facilities — as well as posting such content on social media — is strictly prohibited. If you wish to take photos or videos for personal or family records, please consult with the ward staff in advance.
3.6 Valuables
Please refrain from bringing large amounts of cash or valuable items. If necessary, please use the safety box provided in your room. The hospital cannot be held responsible for the loss or theft of personal belongings.
3.7 Anti-Harassment & Violence Prevention
Verbal abuse, physical violence, sexual harassment, or excessive demands directed at staff or other patients will not be tolerated. In such cases, the hospital may refuse to provide further care and request the patient's discharge. In serious cases, the matter will be reported to the police.
3.8 Religious & Cultural Accommodation
We respect the religious and cultural backgrounds of our patients and offer the following accommodations:
- Special meals including halal, vegetarian, and kosher options (please request in advance)
- Access to a prayer space within the hospital
- Consultation regarding other religious or cultural practices
Please inform the ward staff or the International Office of any requests upon admission.
3.9 Privacy Protection
All personal and medical information is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
4. Patient Care Policy on Blood Transfusion
Kameda Medical Center / 亀田メディカルセンター
1. Basic Position
Kameda Medical Center adopts a "relative non-blood transfusion" policy. We respect each patient's wishes regarding blood transfusion to the extent medically possible. However, when blood transfusion is judged absolutely necessary to save life, the attending physician may, based on medical judgment, decide to perform a transfusion under the conditions described below.
2. Acceptance and Refusal of Care and Surgery
As a general rule, Kameda Medical Center will not refuse medical care solely because a patient (such as a member of Jehovah's Witnesses) refuses blood transfusion. However, if the attending physician judges that the risk of performing surgery without blood transfusion is excessive, the physician retains the right to decline to perform the surgery.
3. Confirmation of Patient's Wishes
3.1 Adult Patients with Clear Consciousness
When the patient clearly expresses refusal of blood transfusion, transfusion will, as a general rule, be avoided. The patient will be asked to sign a "Refusal of Blood Transfusion and Release of Liability" form (hereinafter the "Release Form"), confirming that they have received an explanation of the necessity of transfusion and that they release the hospital from liability for any damage that may arise from their refusal.
Note: Should the patient subsequently lose consciousness and reach a critical condition, and the family strongly requests transfusion, the attending physician may, depending on the circumstances, decide to perform a transfusion. In such cases, a separate consent form signed by the family will be required.
3.2 Patients with Impaired Consciousness
If the patient carries documentation clearly indicating refusal of blood transfusion bearing their own verified signature, treatment will, as a general rule, proceed without transfusion. The nearest available family member will be asked to sign a Release Form attesting to the patient's wishes regarding refusal of transfusion and releasing the medical team from liability for any adverse consequences arising therefrom.
<span class="u-font-bold">Note:</span> If the family does not consent to such procedures, or if after signing the family later changes their position and requests transfusion, the attending physician may, depending on the circumstances, decide to perform a transfusion.
3.3 Patients Aged 15 to under 20
If the patient or family expresses refusal of transfusion, or if the patient carries documentation indicating refusal, non-transfusion treatment is applied as a general rule, in the same manner as for adults. However, if the family wishes for transfusion, the family's wishes take precedence.
Even when the family refuses transfusion, there may be doubt as to how fully the family's position represents the patient's own wishes. If the attending physician judges transfusion absolutely necessary for life-saving purposes, the physician is not prohibited from proceeding with transfusion based on their own medical judgment. If the patient has no family or the family's whereabouts are entirely unknown, medical judgment takes top priority.
<span class="u-font-bold">Definition of "Family":</span> "Family" refers to the spouse and first-degree relatives. In their absence, the next closest blood relative is included.
3.4 Patients Under 15 Years of Age
For patients under 15 years of age, Kameda Medical Center will perform blood transfusion when medically necessary, regardless of refusal by the patient or family.
4. Handling of the Refusal of Blood Transfusion and Release of Liability Form
The Release Form is a separate document from the "Information and Payment Agreement." It will be presented for signature when blood transfusion is anticipated in the course of treatment, surgery, or hospitalization. Once signed, the form is retained as part of the patient's medical record and managed in accordance with the Corporation's Basic Policy on the Management of Personal Information.
