Your Rights as a Hospital Patient in New York State

• "Your Rights as a Hospital Patient in New York State" is also available as a printable PDF. This document is also available in the following languages:
  Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Korean, Haitian Creole, Italian

Keep this booklet for reference. Review it carefully and share the information with your family and friends involved in your care.

The state and federal governments require that all hospital patients in New York State be given certain information and materials when admitted to a hospital. This booklet collects that information in one place, explains the rights of each hospital patient and contains advice for the patients on how best to get assistance.

The booklet is divided into two sections:

• The first section of this booklet explains the rights of each hospital patient in New York State. It also contains a Glossary to help understand terms commonly used in the hospital.
• The second section provides documents the law requires the hospital to provide to each patient while in a hospital in New York State.

Table of Contents:

• About Your Rights
• About Your Special Needs
• Concerns/Problems/Complaints About Your Hospital Care
• If You Think You Are Being Asked to Leave the Hospital Too Soon
• You Have the Right to File a Complaint About:
  • Doctors or Physician Assistants
  • Other Health Care Professionals
• Questions or Complaints About Your Hospital Bill or Health Insurance
• Access to Your Medical Records
• Glossary
  
• Regulations and Information
• Patients' Bill of Rights
• An Important Message Regarding Your Rights as a Hospital Inpatient (for patients not covered by Medicare)
• Admission Notice for Medicare Patients
• Important Message from Medicare
• Deciding About Health Care: A Guide for Patients and Families
  • Introduction
  • Adult Patients Who Have the Ability to Make Informed Decisions
  • Advance Directives/Health Care Proxies
  • Health Care Decision-Making in Hospitals and Nursing Homes
  • Decisions to Withhold or Withdraw Life-Sustaining Treatment in Hospitals and Nursing Homes
  • Decision-Making Standards for Legal Guardians and Surrogates
  • Resolving Disputes in Hospitals and Nursing Homes
  • DNR Orders Outside the Hospital or Nursing Home
  • Health Care Proxy
• Letter from the New York State Department of Health (SPARCS data collection system)
• Maternity Information
• Domestic Violence: Notice for Prenatal and Maternity Patients
• Domestic Violence: Victim's Rights Notice
• Parents' Bill of Rights