You're in Good Hands
  • 718.968.1515
  • 5000 Avenue K (corner of Utica Ave.), Brooklyn, NY 11234

Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Patient Rights

The patient has the right:

  • To be treated with courtesy, respect, and consideration with appreciation of his or her individual dignity and with protection and provision of personal privacy as appropriate
  • To receive service(s) without regard to age, race, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, sex, national origin or sponsor;
  • To an environment that is respectful, safe and secure for self/person and property without being subjected to discrimination or reprisal
  • To confidentiality of information gathered during treatment
  • To prompt and reasonable response to questions and requests
  • To know who is providing and is responsible for his or her care and their credentials
  • To know what patient support services are available, including whether an interpreter is available if he or she does not speak English
  • To know what rules and regulations apply to his or her conduct
  • To be given by the health care provider information concerning diagnosis, planned course of treatment, alternatives, risks, and prognosis.
  • To refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be fully informed of the medical consequences of his/her actions
  • To be given, upon request, full information and necessary counseling on the availability of known financial resources for his or her care
  • To know upon request and in advance of treatment, whether the health care provider or health care Facility accepts their Advance Directives
  • To receive upon request, prior to treatment, a reasonable estimate of charges for medical care
  • To receive a copy of reasonably clear and understandable, itemized bill and, upon request, to have charges explained
  • To receive impartial access to medical treatment or accommodations, regardless of race, national origin, religion, physical handicap, or source of payment
  • To make known his/her wishes in regard to anatomic gifts. This can be documented in the Health Care Proxy or on a donor card.
  • To change their healthcare provider if other qualified providers are available
  • To be informed of the provision of off hour emergency care
  • To receive treatment for any emergency medical condition that will deteriorate from failure to provide treatment
  • To know if medical treatment is for purposes of experimental/research and to give his or her consent or refusal to participate in such experimental research
  • To make informed decisions regarding his or her care
  • To receive from his/her physician information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any nonemergency procedure or treatment or both. An informed consent shall include, as a minimum, the provision of information concerning the specific procedure or treatment or both, the reasonably foreseeable risks involved, and alternatives for care or treatment, if any, as a reasonable medical practitioner under similar circumstances would disclose in a manner permitting the patient to make a knowledgeable decision;
  • To be fully informed about a treatment or procedure and the expected outcome before it is performed
  • To approve or refuse their release of confidential disclosures and records, except when release is required by law
  • To express grievances regarding their treatment or care that is or fails to be furnished or regarding any violation of his or her rights.
  • To participate in all aspects of health care decisions, unless contraindicated for medical reasons
  • To appropriate assessment and management of pain
  • If the patient has been adjudged incompetent under applicable state laws by a court of proper jurisdiction, the rights of the patient will be exercised by the person appointed under state law to act on the patient’s behalf.
  • If a state court has not adjudged a patient incompetent, any legal representative or surrogate designated by the patient in accordance with state law may exercise the patient’s rights to the extent allowed by state law.
  • To be free from all forms of abuse or harassment

To express a grievance, the patient may contact the facility by telephone at (718) 629-5590 ext 9088 or (347) 417-9088, or write a letter to Stephanie Gass, Privacy Officer, 1903 Utica Avenue Brooklyn NY 11234.

Patients may call the New York State Department of Health toll-free number at 1-800-804-5447 or by mail at: New York State Department of Health, Centralized Hospital Intake Program, Mailstop: CA/DCS, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237. You may also file a facility complaint form on the DOH website: https://apps.health.ny.gov/surveyd8/facility-complaint-form

Medicare patients may complain to the Medicare program by contacting the Office of the Medicare Ombudsman on their website: http://www.medicare.gov/claims-and-appeals/medicare-rights/get-help/ombudsman.html

Patient Responsibilities

A patient is responsible:

  • For providing to the health care provider, to the best of his or her knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications including over-the-counter products and other dietary supplements, allergies and sensitivities and other matters relating to his or her health
  • For having a responsible adult to transport him or her home from the facility and to remain with him or her for 24 hours
  • For reporting unexpected changes in his or her condition to the health care provider
  • For reporting to the healthcare provider whether he or she comprehends a contemplated course of action and what is expected of him or her
  • For following the treatment plan prescribed/recommended by the health care provider and participate in his or her care
  • For keeping appointments and when he or she is unable to do so for any reason, for notifying the Facility
  • For his or her actions if he or she refuses treatment or does not follow the health care provider’s instructions
  • For assuring that the financial obligations of his or her health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible
  • For accepting personal financial responsibility for any charges not covered by his or her insurance
  • For following Facility rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct
  • For consideration and respect of the facility, health care professionals and staff, other patients and property
  • For informing his or her provider of any living will, medical power of attorney or other directive that could affect care

Updated 1/7/20