Pennsylvania Code › Title 55 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part VII - Mental Health Manual › Subpart C - Administration and Fiscal Management › Chapter 5100 - MENTAL HEALTH PROCEDURES › PATIENT RIGHTS › Section 5100.54 - Manual of rights for persons in treatment

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The following is the manual of rights for persons in
						treatment:
Article I:
The Right to
						Communicate
Statement of Principle
1. Right to Information
2. Right to Assistance
3. Right to an Attorney
4. Right to Have Visitors
5. Right to Send and Receive
					 Letters
6. Right to Use
					 Telephones
Article II:
The Right of Religious
						Freedom
Statement of Principle
1. Right to Refuse Medication
2. Right to Diets Based on Religious or
					 Ethical Consideration
3. Right to
					 Abstain from Religious Practices
Article III:
The Right to Handle Your Personal
						Affairs
Article IV:
The Right to a Humane Physical and
						Psychological Environment
Article V:
The Right to Treatment
Statement of Principle
1. Individualized Treatment Plan
2. Discharge
Article VI:
Permissible, Restricted and
						Prohibited Treatment Procedures
Statement of Principle
1. Permissible Procedures
2. Restricted Procedures
3. Prohibited Procedures
Article VII:
Grievance and Appeal
						Procedures
Statement of Principle
1. Grievance Procedures
2. First Level Appeal
3. Second Level Appeal
ARTICLE I
THE RIGHT TO COMMUNICATE
Statement of Principle.
(a) Every patient has the right and shall be
					 encouraged to communicate freely and privately with others within the facility
					 and in the community at large, as described below. This is based upon the firm
					 belief that meaningful communications are essential to a successful course of
					 treatment. These rights may be suspended or restricted for a limited period by
					 the treating physician only when reasonable cause exists to believe that
					 failure to suspend communications will result in a substantial risk of serious
					 and immediate harm to the patient or others, or that a crime is being
					 committed. The physician shall fully explain any suspensions or restrictions of
					 these rights to the patient and document the reasons for the restriction in the
					 patient's record. Suspension or restrictions shall be reviewed and documented
					 every 48 hours until the risk of serious and immediate harm is
					 reduced.
(b) Every patient shall
					 have the right to make complaints and offer suggestions to the director, or his
					 designee, regarding the operation of the facility, and may meet with other
					 patients to discuss their concerns with facility administrators. Complaints and
					 suggestions shall be heard and decided promptly.
1. Right to Information.
(a) Every patient has the right to be
					 informed of his rights and responsibilities while in treatment, and those house
					 rules and regulations of the facility which affect his treatment.
(b) Every patient has the right to be
					 informed of diagnostic and treatment procedures, their risks and their costs,
					 that are available to him and which would aid in his recovery from mental
					 illness. Patients have the right to be informed of the reasons and factors
					 involved in recommending a procedure of choice.
(c) Every patient has the right to be
					 informed of the nature of material about to be released to others (or obtained)
					 when he is requested to sign a release of information.