You have rights and can make decisions about your care. The hospital must help you understand and use your rights to:
- Get emergency care if you need it
- Get respectful care in a clean and safe environment
- Get an interpreter if you need one
- Get medical care without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, age, or how you pay
- Get complete information about your diagnosis and treatment, including risks and benefits
- Say no to treatment and be told how that may affect your health
- Refuse resuscitation (restarting your breathing or heartbeat)
- Decide who can visit you
- Be restrained only for safety reasons, with a doctor's order, for limited time, with staff checking on you every 30 minutes
- Know the names of doctors and staff caring for you
- Have your medical information kept private
- Take part in discharge planning and include a caregiver
- See and get copies of your medical records
- Get a clear bill that explains all charges
- See the hospital's standard prices
- Challenge bills you disagree with
- Complain about care and get a written response
- Refuse to take part in research
- Decide to donate your organs if you're 16 or older
Need help? Senior citizens can get a 48-page guide from the New York State Health Department about your rights.
Last Reviewed: June 9, 2023