Patient Rights and Responsibilities

You and your family are an important part of your child's healthcare team.  Learn more about your rights and responsibilities.

En español: Derechos y Responsabilidades del Paciente y la Familia

In addition, CHKD supports open and flexible visitation for our patients and encourages the involvement of family members and friends in the patient’s care.

Designated Support Persons

If your child requires a designated support person (DSP) due to a disability, that person is allowed to accompany your child to CHKD when health care services are being provided.

Your child’s designated support person is not considered a visitor and is not subject to any restrictions on visitation.

Your child’s designated support person is allowed in addition to the total number of visitors you are allowed. If your child is admitted to the hospital or receives services that last more than 24 hours, you may elect to have more than one designated support person accompany them at different times throughout the stay, but only DSP is allowed at a time.

For the purposes of this law, a disability is defined as a physical, sensory, mental, or emotional impairment that was present prior to admission and substantially limits one or more activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, and eating or feeding.

Designated support persons are required to follow all CHKD policies designed to protect the health and safety of our patients, the designated support person, staff, and visitors. Also, the designated support person may not be able to enter into some areas of the hospital, such as the operating room. Movement around the premises may be limited where necessary to protect health and safety.

What Parents Can Expect from Us 

  • Medical care for your child regardless of gender, race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or sources of payment for care.
  • To be included in all as aspects of your child's care and have it explained in ways you can understand.
  • Sign language and foreign language interpreters if needed at no cost.
  • A friendly, respectful and medically safe environment that protects the privacy of your child.
  • Discussions for your cultural and spiritual traditions, as well as your personal values.
  • Clear instructions on how to care for your child at home.
  • Answers to your financial and insurance questions.
  • Help with making a decision about going elsewhere for care if that is a safe option.

What We Need from Parents

  • Complete and accurate information about your child's medical history, medicines, allergies and complementary or herbal remedies.
  • Anything you'd like us to know about your family's religious, spiritual and cultural beliefs.
  • Details about what makes your child sad, angry, afraid or worried.
  • Questions or concerns you have about your child's care, medications or services performed.
  • Respect for the people taking care of your child and for the other children and families here.
  • Assurance that you'll follow recommended treatments, or that you understand what could happen if you don't.
  • Agreement to pay for your child's care. If you have concerns about doing so, let us know.
  • The opportunity to satisfy you and your child as best we can. 

Behavior and Communication

Aggressive behavior will not be tolerated. To protect the safety and well-being of all, CHKD Health System prohibits the following by anyone, at any time, at any CHKD location:

  • Abusive or vulgar language
  • Threats and intimidation
  • Violent or unwanted physical contact
  • Damage or destruction of CHKD property
  • Weapons, alcohol, and/or drugs

Violators may be asked to leave the premises and be subject to legal prosecution. Thank you for helping us maintain the best possible environment for our patients, visitors, and staff. 

Patient Relations Specialist

We also have patient relations specialists whose specific job is to ensure your needs are met. If you would like to speak to a patient relations specialist, please call (757) 668-9744.

Also, feel free to ask any member of your health care team for assistance when needed. If that person cannot help you, you may contact our manager or call our Comfort Line: (757) 668-8888.

If your concern is not resolved, you may contact the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Licensure and Certification, in writing at 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 401, Henrico, VA 23233-1485, or call (800) 955-1819 (TDD for the hearing impaired, (800) 828-1120). You may also file an online complaint with DNV Healthcare.

Thank you for entrusting your child's care to our team at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters.

Notice of Privacy Practices at CHKD 

The following document describes CHKD's policy on protecting our patients' privacy: 


Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

HIPAA was signed into law in 1996 (Public Law 104-191). Title II, subsection "F" require processes and actions to adoption of standards for security, privacy and healthcare transactions. All employees of Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters Health System, including Children's Medical Group employees, have been educated about HIPAA.


Medical Records Retention Policy

CHKD Medical Group practices in Virginia retain medical records of minor children for six years after they reach 18 years of age. Adult records are kept for six years after the last date they were seen at the practice.

CHKD Medical Group practices located in North Carolina retain records of minor children for 10 years after they reach 18 years of age.

After the age limits are met the medical records are selected for destruction. Destruction is performed by HIPAA compliant destruction methods.

For information on how to obtain your child's medical record click here.