Mayo Clinic believes that every patient in our care should be treated with dignity, respect and compassion. We recognize that all patients have basic rights, and we are committed to honoring those rights. Likewise, Mayo Clinic has the right to expect reasonable and responsible behavior from patients and visitors.
This shared understanding serves as a foundation for a positive relationship between patients and caregivers.
To encourage patients and their families or their representatives to take an active role in healthcare safety, Joint Commission has developed the Speak Up program. The program provides information and tools to help patients ask questions, understand their care and speak up if they have concerns about safety.
Patient rights and responsibilities
Mayo Clinic respects and considers your rights as a patient and recognizes that you as an individual have unique healthcare needs. Patients and their representatives have specific rights intended to protect them during care, treatment and services provided at Mayo Clinic facilities.
- Patient rights and responsibilities at Mayo Clinic in Arizona (PDF).
- Patient rights and responsibilities at Mayo Clinic in Florida (PDF).
- Patient rights and responsibilities at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota (PDF).
- Patient rights and responsibilities at Mayo Clinic Health System in Wisconsin (PDF).
To help us deliver the best possible care, we ask that patients accept certain responsibilities. These include providing accurate and complete information about themselves and their health, asking questions when they do not understand their diagnosis or treatment, and respecting the rights of others by following Mayo Clinic's rules and regulations. Patients also are responsible for meeting their financial obligations related to their care.
How we use your medical information
Mayo Clinic is committed to protecting patients' privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of their medical information. Access to medical information is limited to employees who need it to do their job responsibilities. We believe that appropriate access to your medical record by our staff supports the delivery of safe, coordinated and comprehensive care.
Patients' privacy rights and Mayo Clinic's privacy practices are outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices.
Patients receive a copy of this notice at their first appointment and are asked to sign a form that acknowledges they have received the information. Mayo Clinic takes its responsibility for protecting patients' medical information seriously. Providing you with the notice is part of our efforts to comply with requirements under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Mayo Clinic further maintains robust privacy and information security programs to protect your medical information and related data.
If you would like a copy of your medical records, you can place a request through your Mayo Clinic Patient Portal account or by contacting our Release of Information team.
If you believe information in Mayo Clinic's medical record about you is not accurate or not complete, you have the right to request that the information be corrected or changed.
