You have the right to:

• Receive information about your current health, care, outcomes, recovery, ongoing health care needs and future health status in terms that you understand.
• Be informed about proposed care options including the risks and benefits, other care options, what could happen without care and the outcome(s) of any medical care provided, including any outcomes that were not expected. You may need to sign your name before the start of any procedure and/or care. “Informed consent” is not required in the case of an emergency.
• Be involved in all aspects of your care and to take part in decisions about your care.
• Make choices about your care based on your own spiritual and personal values.
• Request care. This right does not mean you can demand

Decide to take part or not take part in research or clinical trials for your condition, or donor programs, that may be suggested by your doctor. Your participation in such care is voluntary, and written permission must be obtained from you or your legal representative before you participate. A decision to not take part in research or clinical trials will not affect your right to receive care.

You have the right to:

• Decide if you want visitors or not while you are here. The hospital may need to limit visitors to better care for you or other patients.
• Designate those persons who can visit you during your stay. These individuals do not need to be legally related to you.
• Designate a support person who may determine who can visit you if you become incapacitated.

You have the right to:

• Create advance directives, which are legal papers that allow you to decide now what you want to happen if you are no longer healthy enough to make decisions about your care. You have the right to have hospital staff comply with these directives.
• Ask about and discuss the ethics of your care, including resolving any conflicts that might arise such as, deciding against, withholding or withdrawing life sustaining care.

You have the right to:

• Receive a medical screening exam to determine treatment.
• Participate in the care that you receive in the hospital.
• Receive instructions on follow-up care and participate in decisions about your plan of care after you are out of the hospital.
• Receive a prompt and safe transfer to the care of others when this hospital is not able to meet your request or need for care or service. You have the right to know why a transfer to another health care facility might be required, as well as learning about other options for care. The hospital cannot transfer you to another hospital unless that hospital has agreed to accept you.

You have the right to:

• Expect emergency procedures to be implemented without unnecessary delay.
• Receive care in a safe setting free from any form of abuse, harassment and neglect. 
• Receive kind, respectful, safe, quality care delivered by skilled staff.
• Know the names of doctors and nurses providing care to you and the names and roles of other health care workers and staff that are caring for you.
• Request a consultation by another health care provider.
• Receive proper assessment and management of pain, including the right to request or reject any or all options to relieve pain.
• Receive care free from restraints or seclusion unless necessary to provide medical, surgical or behavioral health care.
• Receive efficient and quality care with high professional standards that are continually maintained and reviewed.

You have the right to:

• Limit who knows about your being in the hospital.
• Be interviewed, examined and discuss your care in places designed to protect your privacy.
• Be advised why certain people are present and to ask others to leave during sensitive talks or procedures.
• Expect all communications and records related to care, including who is paying for your care, to be treated as private.
• Receive written notice that explains how your personal health information will be used and shared with other health care professionals involved in your care.
• Review and request copies of your medical record unless restricted for medical or legal reasons.

You have the right to:

• Review, obtain, request and receive a detailed explanation of your hospital charges and bills.
• Receive information and counseling on ways to help pay for the hospital bill. 
• Request information about any business or financial arrangements that may impact your care.

You and your family/guardian have the right to:

• Tell hospital staff about your concerns or complaints regarding your care. This will not affect your future care.
• Seek review of quality of care concerns, coverage decisions and concerns about your discharge.
• Expect a timely response to your complaint or grievance from the hospital. Complaints or grievances may be made in writing, by phone or in person. The hospital has a duty to respond to these complaints or grievances in a manner that you can understand.
  • To share your concerns with the hospital, please contact the hospital’s Patient Relations Department at 223-287-8204. Hours of Operation are Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• The Pennsylvania Department of Health is also available to assist you with any questions or concerns about your hospital care. You can reach the Department of Health by calling 800- 254-5164 or writing: Acute and Ambulatory Care Services, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Room 53,2 Health and Welfare Building, 625 Forster St., Harrisburg, PA 17120
• You may also contact The Joint Commission, a hospital accreditation organization:
  • File a concern online under Report a Safety Event at jointcommission.org.
  • Patient Safety Event Phone Line: 800-994-6610
  • Fax: 630-792-5636
  • Mail: Office of Quality and Patient Safety (OQPS)
  • The Joint Commission, One Renaissance Blvd., Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Please feel free to ask questions about any of these rights that you do not understand. If you have questions about these rights, please discuss them with your doctor or nurse or the hospital’s Patient Relations Department. You will receive a personal response.