Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Patient

The following information outlines patient rights and privacy practices, including:

  • Your Rights and Responsibilities in the Healthcare Process
  • EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act)
  • Behavioral Health Patient Bills of Rights

HIPAA Notice Of Privacy Practices

This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.

Review HIPAA Notice

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding any of the following information, please direct your questions to the appropriate individual or department outlined below:

  • For issues or concerns related to patient care, patient rights, or patient billing, contact a Patient Experience representative at 845-333-1164.
  • For issues or concerns related to regulatory compliance or protected health information, contact a Compliance Officer or HIPAA Privacy Officer at 845-333-7188, OR call the Compliance Hotline at 845-333-HERO.

Patient/Family Rights

You and your family are partners in the healthcare process.  Here's what you can expect from us:

  1. We will provide assistance, including an interpreter if you for any reason do not understand or you need help.
  2. We will provide treatment without discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, age or source of payment. 
  3. We will provide considerate and respectful care in a clean and safe environment free of unnecessary restraints.
  4. We will provide you with emergency care if you need it.
  5. We will provide you of the name and position of the doctor who will be in charge of your care in the hospital.
  6. We will provide you the names, positions and functions of any hospital staff involved in your care and you can refuse their treatment, examination or observation.
  7. We will provide you with a no smoking room.
  8. We will explain things in ways you can understand about your diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
  9. We will provide you all the information 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. We will provide you with 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 Order – A Guide for Patients and Families”
  11. We encourage you to be involved in making decisions about your care. And we will respect your right to request or refuse medical treatment and be told what effect this may have on your health.
  12. We will provide you with a full explanation in deciding whether or not to participate in research.  You have the right to refuse to take part in the research.
  13. We will care for you in a careful and gentle manner that preserves dignity and contributes to a positive self image.  You have the right to privacy while in the hospital and confidentiality of all information and records regarding your care.
  14. We encourage your active participation in all decisions about your treatment and discharge from the hospital.  We will provide you with a written discharge plan and written description of how you can appeal your discharge.
  15. We will provide you a review of your medical record without charge.  We can provide a copy of your medical record for which we can charge a reasonable fee.  You cannot be denied a copy solely because you cannot afford to pay.
  16. We will provide you with an itemized bill and explanation of all charges.
  17. We will work to solve any concerns you may have.  You have the right to 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. Please ask any member of your healthcare team, and we will work promptly to resolve any concerns about your healthcare.  You may contact the patient advocate at 845-333-1164 to assist you with concerns that you may not feel comfortable discussing with the health care team.
  18. We will honor any authorized family members and other adults who you give priority to visit consistent with your ability to receive visitors.
  19. We encourage you to 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.

Patient/Family Responsibilities

We consider you a part of our team of care.  Here is what we expect when you visit:

  1. You must provide us with complete and accurate information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications and other matters relating to your health.
  2. You have the responsibility for asking questions when something is unclear and to report any unexpected changes in your condition to the physician.
  3. You must follow the instructions of nurses and allied health personnel as they carry out the coordinated plan of care and implement the responsible practitioner’s orders.
  4. You are responsible for keeping appointments and must notify the responsible practitioner or the hospital if you can not do so for any reason.
  5. You are responsible for your actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow the practitioner’s instructions.
  6. You must follow our organization’s rules and regulations.
  7. You must show respect for the people taking care of you and the rights of other patients by assisting in the control of noise, smoking and the number of visitors.  You must be respectful of the property of other persons and of the hospital.
  8. You must meet your financial obligation to the organization, and if you have concerns about doing so, let us know by contacting the Financial Advocates at 845-333-1482.

Download the "Your Rights" booklet
Presione aquí para transferencia directa del folleto "Sus Derechos" 

EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act)

It's The Law!

If you have a medical emergency or are in labor, you have the right to receive (within the capabilities of this hospital's staff and facilities):

  • An appropriate medical screening examination
  • Necessary stabilizing treatment (including treatment for an unborn child)
  • And if necessary, an appropriate transfer to another facility

Even if you cannot pay, or do not have medical insurance, or you are not entitled to Medicare or Medicaid. This hospital participants in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Behavioral Health Patients Bill Of Rights

While you are in this program, you have rights which may not be limited. These include:

  • A safe and sanitary environment.
  • A balanced an nutritious diet.
  • Appropriate personal clothing from home.
  • Practice of religion.
  • Freedom from abuse and mistreatment by employees or other residents of the facility.
  • Adequate grooming and personal hygiene supplies.
  • A reasonable amount of safe storage space for clothing and other personal property.
  • A reasonable degree of privacy in sleeping, bathing and toileting areas.
  • Receiving visitors at reasonable times, authorizing those family members and other adults who will be given priority to visit, suitable areas for visiting to take place, and communicating freely with persons within or outside the facility.
  • Appropriate medical and dental care
  • Management of your paint
  • An individualized treatment plan and participation in the development of that plan including the opportunity to request the participation of a relative, close friend or other person concerned with your welfare if you are sixteen years of age or older.
  • Requesting contact with a representative of the Bioetchis Committee.

Please direct any questions or concerns to:

Facility/Director Designee: Dr. Carlos Rueda, MD
Office Address: 707 East Main Street, Middletown, NY 10940
Office Telephone: 845-333-2260 or 845-333-2268

  • Commission on Quality Care: 1-800-624-4143
  • Mental Hygiene Legal Service: 845-374-4716
  • New York State Office of Mental Health Consumer Relations: 1-800-597-8481
Join in Program

Join In Program

Our Join In Program is an opportunity for you and your family to be a partner in your care and ask questions about your diagnosis, treatment or after care.

Learn More