We, at Children's Hospital of New Mexico, believe that treatment works best when planned and coordinated as a team effort.  You and your child are part of the healthcare team and as a team, we make a commitment to:

• Respect each other and provide for personal dignity
• Keep each other informed about medical treatments and plans of care
• Jointly participate in making choices and decisions
• Work together to assure the very best care
• Listen to each other with respect and acknowledge feelings
• Provide care that understands the needs and concerns of infants, children, teenagers and their families

Just as we make a commitment to respect each other, we agree to honor the rights of all patients, families and hospital personnel.

This person helps patients and families who have questions about the care or service they have received.  To reach the PAC, call 272-2121.  You can also go to the PAC office.  The office is on the first floor of the hospital. Please ask your nurse or doctor how to get there.  You can also ask the staff to call the number for you.  If you need to talk to the PAC when the office is closed, please ask the staff to call the Administrative Supervisor on duty.

In 1996, the US Government passed a law called "HIPAA" (hip-a).  This law is also known as "Privacy Rules".  The law states that you have the right to keep information about your health private.  This includes any health problems you have now or have had in the past.  The only way other people can find out about your health is if you give them permission.  Permission is usually given by signing a consent form.   Only after you have signed this form can other people or companies find out about your health.  The consent form does allow the health care people taking direct care of you to share information with other members of your health care team.  This law also states that you must be told about how your private health information may be used.  It is your right to know when and how information about your health is released.  You also have the right to know who is asking and why. You have the right to refuse.  Please ask your doctor or nurse if you have any other questions about HIPAA.