Patients and Visitors

                                                              

Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong

Patient Rights

As a patient in a hospital in New York State, your child has the right, consistent with law, to:

• 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.
  
  
• Receive treatment without discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or source of payment.
  
  
• Receive considerate and respectful care in a clean and safe environment free of unnecessary restraints.
  
  
• Receive emergency care if your child needs it.
  
  
• Be informed of the name and position of the doctor who will be in charge of your child's care in the hospital.
  
  
• Know the names, positions, and functions of any hospital staff involved in your child's care and refuse their treatment, examination or observation.
  
  
• A no-smoking room.
  
  
• Receive complete information about your child's diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
  
  
• Receive all the information that you need to give informed consent for any proposed procedure or treatment for your child. This information shall include the possible risks and benefits of the procedure or treatment.
  
  
• Receive all the information that you need to give informed consent for an order not to resuscitate your child. 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 "Do Not Resuscitate Orders - A Guide for Patients and Families.
  
  
• Refuse treatment and be told what effect this may have on your child's health.
  
  
• Refuse to take part in research. In deciding whether or not to participate, you have the right to a full explanation.
  
  
• Privacy while in the hospital and confidentiality of all information and records regarding your child's care.
  
  
• Participate in all decisions about your child's 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 child's discharge.
  
  
• Review your child's medical record without charge. Obtain a copy of your child' s medical record for which the hospital can charge a reasonable fee. You cannot be denied a copy solely because you cannot afford to pay.
  
  
• Receive an itemized bill and explanation of all charges.
  
  
• Formulate an advance directive and appoint a health care proxy.
  
  
• Participate in the consideration of ethical issues that arise in your child's care.
  
  
• Authorize those family members and other adults who will be given priority to visit consistent with your child's ability to receive visitors.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Receive timely assessment and treatment of pain, including education about how to manage your child's pain.
  
  
• Complain without fear of reprisals about the care and services your child is receiving and to have the hospital respond to you and if you request it, a written response. You should first speak to the nurse or doctor caring for your child and, if you remain dissatisfied, to Patient Relations. 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 Health Department phone number.
  

If you have any questions about your child's rights, please speak with a staff member, especially the doctor or nurse caring for your child.