Newsgroups: misc.emerg-services
Date:         Mon, 28 Sep 1992 00:52:00 GMT
From:         Daniel Burstein <0001964967@MCIMAIL.COM>
Subject:      pt. bill of rights

Quite a few people have asked for the "Patient Bill of Rights."
As a reminder, Federal Law (most specifically COBRA) guarantees
certain things, most notably that a hospital will provide EMERGENCY
treatment to anyone needing it regardless of income, race, sex, etc.

Various State laws add to this.  Attached is the Patient Bill of
Rights as distributed by the New York City Health and Hospitals
Corporation, the second largest public hospital system in the country.
(A no-prize to the first ten people who can name the largest public
hospital system....)

It is designed to be in compliance with New York State law and
administrative code.  Laws in other states will be similar, but not
necessarily identical.  However, the "informed consent" and the right
to receive treatment are Federal law, and should cover 99.9999% of
hospitals.

----------
HHC 1425, Sept. 1991:

Patient's Rights

As a patient in a hospital in New York State, you have the right,
consistent with law, to:

1) Understand and use these rights.  If for any reason you do not
undeerstand or you need help, the hospital must provide assistance,
including an interpreter.

2) Receive treatment without discrimination as to age, race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or
source of payment.

3: Receive considerate and respectful care in a clean and safe
environment free of unnecessary restraints.

4: Receive emergency care if you need it.

5: Be informed of the name and position of the doctor who will be in
charge of your care at the hospital.

6: Know the names, positions, and functions of any hospital staff
involved in your care and refuse their treatment, examination or observation.

7: A no smoking room.

8: Receive complete informaiton about your diagnosis, treatment, and
prognosis.

9: Receive all the information that you need to give informed consent
for any proposed procedure or treatment.  This information shall
include the possible risks andbenefits of the procedure or treatment.

10: Receive all the information you need to give informed consent for
an order not to resuscitate.  You also have the right to designate an
individual to give this consent if you are too ill to do so.  If you
would like additional information, please ask for a copy of the
pamphlet: "Do Not Resuscitate Orders - A Guide for Patients and
Families."

11: Refuse treatment and be told what effect this may have on your
health.

12: Refuse to take part in research.  In deciding whether or not to
participate, yopu have the right to a full explanation.

13: Privacy while in the hospital and confidentiality of all
information, and records regarding your care.

14: Participate in all decisions about your treatment and discharge
from the hospital.  The hospital must provide you with a writtenb
discharge plan and written description of how you can appeal your
discharge.

15: Review your medical record wothout charge and obtain a copy of
your medical record for which the hospital can charge a reasonable
fee.  You cannot be denied a copy solely because you cannot afford to
pay.

16: Receive an itemized bill and explanation of all charges.

17: Complain without fear of reprisals about the care and services you
are receiving and to have the hospital respond to you and if you
request it, a written response.  If you are not satisfied withe the
hospital's response, you can complain to the New York State Health
Department.  The hospital must provide you with the Health Department
telephone number.
-----------------------

Let me just point out that MANY of these are routinely overlooked in
the EMS setting.  They shouldn't be.

Take care,
Danny Burstein
<dburstein@mcimail.com>
<196-4967@mcimail.com>
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU