Rights & Responsibilities

You Have the Right to the Best Care

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 understand or you need help, the hospital MUST provide assistance, including an interpreter.
2. Receive treatment without discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, age 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 in 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. Identify a caregiver who will be included in your discharge planning and sharing of post-discharge care information or instruction.
8. Receive complete information 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 and benefits 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 for you if you are too ill to do so. If you would like additional information, please ask for a copy of the pamphlet “Deciding About Health Care - 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, you 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 written discharge plan and written description of how you can appeal your discharge.
15. Review your medical record without 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. View a list of the hospital’s standard charges for items and services and the health plans the hospital participates with.
18. Challenge an unexpected bill through the Independent Dispute Resolution process.
19. 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 with the hospital’s response, you can complain to the New York State Health Department. The hospital must provide you with the State Health Department telephone number.
20. Authorize those family members and other adults who will be given priority to visit consistent with your ability to receive visitors.
21. Make known your wishes in regard to anatomical gifts. Persons 16 years of age or older may document their consent to donate their organs, eyes and/or tissues upon their death by enrolling in the NYS Donate Life Registry or by documenting their authorization for organ and/or tissue donation in writing in a number of ways (such as a healthcare proxy, will, donor card or other signed paper). The healthcare proxy is available from the hospital.
    

Northern Westchester Hospital partners with patients and families to provide high-quality, patient-centered care in a safe and compassionate environment. To accomplish this, it is our expectation that you and your visitors fulfill the following responsibilities.

For Your Safety and the Safety of Others:

• Cooperate with all hospital rules and regulations.
• Secure and assume responsibility for your personal belongings. NWH is not responsible for missing personal belongings. Be respectful of hospital property and the property of others.
• Never bring weapons or anything that can be used as a weapon into the hospital.
• Do not bring any alcohol, tobacco or illicit substances into the hospital.

Preserve the Healing Environment:

Always maintain a quiet, respectful and restful environment. In the event a patient or visitor is unable to maintain safe and respectful behavior, NWH reserves the right to restrict, prohibit or escort visitors off the premises. In extreme situations, NWH may terminate a patient’s treatment and offer an alternative plan for care.

Medical History and Medications:

• Provide accurate and complete information about present symptoms, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, supplements and other information pertinent to your health.
• Always review all medications and supplements brought from home with your nurse and/or physician.

Health Decisions:

• Understand your “Plan of Care” created with your healthcare team.
• Actively participate in the decision-making for treatment and therapies.
• Be informed and take responsibility for the consequences if you alter, do not comply with or refuse the recommended treatments/instructions provided to you.
• Ask questions if you do not understand your plan of care or anything else pertaining to your hospitalization.

Report Right Away:

Report concerns—including any unexpected changes in your condition or anything that appears unsafe—to your nurse or physician immediately. A nursing supervisor is available to you 24 hours a day. For help, press your nurse call button and ask the operator to connect you, or call the Patient Hotline (H-E-L-P, 4357) anytime using your hospital phone.

You may also contact:

• Office of Patient & Customer Experience (Department of Patient Advocacy): 914-666-1966/1951
• New York State Department of Health: 800-804-5447 
• The Joint Commission: jointcommission.org
• Office of Mental Health: 800-597-8481

Report Changes in Billing and Demographic Information:

• Ensure accurate billing of your services to your insurance company and avoid billing issues after discharge.
• Understand your responsibility for your insurance plan’s copayments, deductibles or coinsurance. NWH has financial counselors available to assist with financial hardship.

Advance Directives: My Healthcare Agent and My Wishes for Medical Care:

Provide a copy of your existing Healthcare Proxy or any other advance directives upon admission. If you have not designated a Healthcare Proxy, complete a Healthcare Proxy form.