With an increased emphasis on improving the quality of care transitions in the health care system, empowering patients with information to take charge of their own care is very important. This includes appointing a health care proxy and completing forms to provide your instructions for end of life care. Our Tool Kit provides you and your family members with the information to be a strong advocate to uphold your rights.

Since April 1, 1998, New York State requires patients in hospitals to receive a guidebook, ”Your Rights as a Hospital Patient in New York State.”  Visit the NYS Department of Health for the latest version.  https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/1449.pdf

This guide contains important information that hospital are required by state and federal laws to provide to patients or to their representatives, along with other useful information such as how to obtain medical records and where to file complaints about hospital care, doctors and other providers.

The guidebook is available in Spanish. Remember– hospitals in New York are required to assist all patients (or their representatives) understand and use their rights. This includes interpreter services and assistance for those with hearing or vision impairments.