You have the right, per the New York Department of Health, as a patient in New York State, to:
- Understand and use these rights. If for any reason you do not understand or you need help, the surgery center MUST provide assistance, including an interpreter.
- Receive treatment without discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or source of payment.
- Receive considerate and respectful care in a clean and safe environment free of unnecessary restraints.
- Receive emergency care if you need it.
- Be informed of the name and position of the doctor who will be in charge of your care in the surgery center.
- Know the names, positions and functions of any surgery center staff involved in your care and refuse their treatment, examination or observation.
- A no smoking room.
- Receive complete information about your diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
- Receive all the information that you need to give informed consent for any proposed procedure or treatment. This information shall include the possible risks and benefits of the procedure or treatment.
- 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 for you 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.”
- Refuse treatment and be told what effect this may have on your health.
- Refuse to take part in research. In deciding whether or not to participate, you have the right to a full explanation.
- Privacy while in the surgery center and confidentiality of all information and records regarding your care.
- Participate in all decisions about your treatment and discharge from the surgery center. The surgery center must provide you with a written discharge plan.
- Review your medical record without charge. Obtain a copy of your medical record for which the surgery center can charge a reasonable fee. You cannot be denied a copy solely because you cannot afford to pay.
- Receive an itemized bill and explanation of all charges.
- Complain without fear of reprisals about the care and services you are receiving, and to have the surgery center respond to you, and if you request it, a written response. If you are not satisfied with the surgery center’s response, you can complain to the New York State Health Department. The surgery center must provide you with the Health Department telephone number.
- Authorize those family members and other adults who will be given priority to visit consistent with your ability to receive visitors.
- Make known your wishes in regard to anatomical gifts. You may document your wishes in your health care proxy or on a donor card, available from the surgery center. Public Health Law (PHL) 2803 (l) (g) Patients’ Rights 10nycrr, 405.7 (a) (l), 405.7 (a) (2)
- To have competent, caring healthcare providers who act as your advocates.
- To know about any business relationships among the facility, healthcare providers, and others that might influence your care of treatment.
- Patient has the right to be informed of their right to change their provider if other qualified providers are available.
- Patient has the right to be informed of the availability of free or reduced cost care through South Shore Surgery Center’s community outreach and free care initiative.
