Patient Rights and Responsibilities

If you have questions or concerns regarding your hospitalization, please speak with your nurse. Each nursing unit also has a nurse manager who is available to assist you. For additional assistance, you can contact the Patient Advocate Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, or call 732-499-6136. In the evenings or on weekends, ask the operator to connect you to the Clinical Administrative Coordinator.

Every New Jersey hospital patient shall have the following rights, none of which shall be abridged by the hospital or any of its staff. The hospital administrator shall be responsible for developing and implementing policies to protect patient rights and to respond to questions and grievances pertaining to patient rights. These rights shall include at least the following:

• To receive the care and health services that the hospital is required by law to provide.
• To treatment and medical services without discrimination based on age, religion, national origin, sex, sexual preferences, handicap, diagnosis, ability to pay, or source of payment. To exercise all your constitutional, civil, and legal rights. To receive an understandable explanation from your physician of your complete medical condition, recommended treatment, expected results, risks involved, and reasonable medical alternatives. If your physician believes that some of this information would be detrimental to your health or beyond your ability to understand, the explanation must be given to your next of kin or guardian.
• To give informed, written consent prior to the start of specified, non-emergency medical procedures or treatments. Your physician should explain to you--in words you understand--specific details about the recommended procedure or treatment, any risks involved, time required for recovery, and any reasonable medical alternatives. To refuse medication and treatment after possible consequences of this decision have been explained clearly to you, unless the situation is life threatening or the procedure is required by law. To be included in experimental research only if you give informed, written consent. You have the right to refuse to participate. To be informed of the names and functions of all health care professionals providing you with personal care.
• To receive, upon request, the hospital's written policies and procedures regarding life-saving methods and the use or withdrawal of life support mechanisms.
• To receive, as soon as possible, the services of a translator or interpreter if you need one to help you communicate with the hospital’s health care providers.
• To be informed of the names and functions of any outside health care and educational institutions involved in your treatment. You may refuse to allow their participation.
• To receive, upon request, the hospital’s written policies and procedures regarding life-saving methods and the use or withdrawal of life support mechanisms.
• To be advised in writing of the hospital’s rules regarding the conduct of patients and visitors.

Information

• To receive a summary of your patient rights that includes the name and phone number of the hospital staff member to whom you can ask questions or complain about any possible violation of your rights.
• To have prompt access to the information in your medical record. If your physician feels that this access is detrimental to your health, your next of kin or guardian has a right to see your record.
• To obtain a copy of your medical record, at a reasonable fee, within 30 days after a written request to the hospital.
• To receive a copy of the hospital payment rates. If you request an itemized bill, the hospital must provide one, and explain any questions you may have. You have a right to appeal any charges.
• To be informed by the hospital if part or your entire bill will not be covered by insurance. The hospital is required to help you obtain any public assistance and private health care benefits to which you may be entitled.
• To receive information and assistance from your attending physician and other health care providers if you need to arrange for continuing health care after your discharge from the hospital.
• To receive sufficient time before discharge to arrange for continuing health care needs.
• To be informed by the hospital about any appeal process to which you are entitled by law if you disagree with the hospital’s discharge plans.
• To be transferred to another facility only when you or your family has made the request or in instances where the transferring hospital is unable to provide you with the care you need.
• To receive an advance explanation from a physician of the reasons for your transfer and possible alternatives.

You have the Right:

• To be treated with courtesy, consideration, and respect for your dignity and individuality.
• To have access to storage space in your room for private use. The hospital must also have a system to safeguard your personal property.
• To freedom from physical and mental abuse.
• To freedom from restraints, unless they are authorized by a physician for a limited period of time to protect the safety of you or others.
• To have physical privacy during medical treatment and personal hygiene functions, unless you need assistance.
• To confidential treatment of information about you. Information in your records will not be released to anyone outside the hospital without your approval, unless it is required by law.