Bellevue Patient Guide 20
Patient Bill of Rights
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, national origin, disability, sexual
orientation, source of payment, or age.
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. A no smoking room.
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 “Do Not Resuscitate Orders -- 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. 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. 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.
18. Authorize those family members and other adults who will be given priority to visit consistent with your
ability to receive visitors.
19. 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 hospital.
*Additionally Bellevue Hospital Center does not discriminate as to a patient's gender identity or expression.
If you have any questions or concerns about your rights, please contact the
Department of Patient Advocacy between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday
through Friday at (212) 562-6071. For more information, see pages 13-15 in Your Rights
as a Hospital Patient in New York State.