Patient Right to Support Persons
Patients with a disability who need assistance communicating with their hospital care team, making medical decisions or engaging in activities of daily living may designate up to three support persons. Support persons will be required to meet specific conditions outlined in Providence policy. If conditions are met, identified support persons may be present at all times during the patient’s hospital stay.
Oregon State law (SB 1606, 2020) requires hospitals to accommodate patient support persons for individuals with disabilities, including but not limited to:
- A physical, intellectual, behavioral or cognitive impairment
- Deafness, being hard of hearing or other communication barrier
- Blindness
- Autism
- Dementia
Support persons may include a family member, guardian, personal care assistant or other paid or unpaid attendant selected by the patient to physically or emotionally assist the patient or ensure effective communication with the patient.
Providence Patient Support Persons Policy
At the earliest feasible time, when services are scheduled, upon admission or presentation to the Emergency Department, patients will be asked to designate support persons. Patients may also initiate this request with their hospital care team at any time.
Support persons will be required to meet specific conditions outlined in Providence policy.
A copy of our support persons policy can be downloaded below or is available upon request. Please contact the Providence Oregon Customer Care Team. Call 503-962-1275 or toll free 855-360-3463.