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 5100.53 - Bill of rights for patients

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The following is the bill of rights for patients:
BILL OF RIGHTS
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND
						RESPECT
YOU SHALL RETAIN ALL CIVIL RIGHTS THAT HAVE NOT
						BEENSPECIFICALLY CURTAILED BY ORDER OF COURT
You have the right to unrestricted and private
						communication inside and outside this facility including the following rights:
a. To a peaceful assembly and to join
					 with other patients to organize a body of or participate in patient government
					 when patient government has been determined to be feasible by the
					 facility.
b. To be assisted by any
					 advocate of your choice in the assertion of your rights and to see a lawyer in
					 private at any time.
c. To make
					 complaints and to have your complaints heard and adjudicated
					 promptly.
d. To receive visitors of
					 your own choice at reasonable hours unless your treatment team has determined
					 in advance that a visitor or visitors would seriously interfere with your or
					 others' treatment or welfare.
e. To
					 receive and send unopened letters and to have outgoing letters stamped and
					 mailed. Incoming mail may be examined for good reason in your presence for
					 contraband. Contraband means specific property which entails a threat to your
					 health and welfare or to the hospital community.
f. To have access to telephone designated for
					 patient use.
2. You have the right
					 to practice the religion of your choice or to abstain from religious
					 practices.
3. You have the right to
					 keep and to use personal possessions, unless it has been determined that
					 specific personal property is contraband. The reasons for imposing any
					 limitation and its scope must be clearly defined, recorded and explained to
					 you. You have the right to sell any personal article you made and keep the
					 proceeds from its sale.
4. You have
					 the right to handle your personal affairs including making contracts, holding a
					 driver's license or professional license, marrying, or obtaining a divorce and
					 writing a will.
5. You have the
					 right to participate in the development and review of your treatment
					 plan.
6. You have the right to
					 receive treatment in the least restrictive setting within the facility
					 necessary to accomplish the treatment goals.
7. You have the right to be discharged from
					 the facility as soon as you no longer need care and treatment.
8. You have the right not to be subjected to
					 any harsh or unusual treatment.
9.
					 If you have been involuntarily committed in accordance with civil court
					 proceedings, and you are not receiving treatment, and you are not dangerous to
					 yourself or others, and you can survive safely in the community, you have the
					 right to be discharged from the facility.
10. You have a right to be paid for any work
					 you do which benefits the operation and maintenance of the facility in
					 accordance with existing Federal wage and hour regulations.
This section cited in 55 Pa. Code §
													5100.4 (relating to scope); 55 Pa.
						  Code §
													5200.32 (relating to treatment
						  policies and procedures); 55 Pa. Code §
													5100.52 (relating to statement of
						  principle); 55 Pa. Code §
													5200.47 (relating to other
						  applicable regulations); 55 Pa. Code §
													5210.56 (relating to other
						  applicable regulations); 55 Pa. Code §
													5320.22 (relating to governing
						  body); and 55 Pa. Code §
													5320.45 (relating to staff
						  orientation and training).