Policy:

Patients have the right to be informed of these rights, in writing, in a way that the patient understands, prior to the initiation of care and the right to exercise such rights.

Practice/Procedure/Implementation:

As a patient you have the right to:

1. Competent, concerned, individualized care without regard to race, creed, color, age, sex, national origins, religion, sexual preference or disability.

2. Be treated with dignity, consideration, and respect, including respect for your privacy, your property, your safety/security and your personal cultural and ethnic, psychosocial, spiritual, personal values, beliefs, and preferences. You have the right to complain of disrespect for your property.

3. Be free from real or perceived mental, physical, sexual, and verbal abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and to have all allegations, observations, or suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation investigated.

4. Expect the agency to maintain a written care plan, and to include your participation, as able, in all decisions affecting your care and treatment. This includes an emergency disaster plan. Be advised in advance of any changes in your Plan of Care.

5. Privacy and confidentiality of all information, including records pertaining to your treatment, except as otherwise provided by law or third-party payment.

6. Access, request amendment to, and receive an accounting of disclosures regarding your health information as well as to request restrictions of use and disclosure and receive confidential communication.

7. Know the names and functions of those people responsible for coordinating, rendering and supervising your health care, including the identity of other health care providers with which the agency has contractual relationships, and to expect that staff members will listen to voiced concerns and/or complaints. Be informed of all services the agency will provide, when and how such services will be provided.

8. Be fully informed of your diagnosis, prognosis and treatment, including alternatives to care and risks involved, with explanation by staff who are knowledgeable of your condition. Information will be presented in a form, which you can understand.

9. Make informed decisions about proposed and ongoing care or services. Refuse treatment after being fully informed of and understanding the consequences of such actions, without fear of discrimination or reprisal.

10. Receive information regarding the agency's policies and procedures, including the discontinuation of service, and to be informed of continuing health care needs following transfer or discharge and to be involved in the plan for the provision of such care.

11. Have your complaints heard, reviewed, and if possible, resolved and recommend changes in policies and services to the agency staff, the governing board, the New York State Department of Health (212-417-5888) and JCAHO without fear of reprisal, coercion, interference, discrimination, or unreasonable interruption in service. To file a grievance or to receive information in writing on how to file a grievance, write the Administrator of the program at 132 West 31st Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001. This address may also be used to submit complaints about the care and services provided or not provided, and complaints concerning lack of respect and lack of respect of property.

12. View your clinical record in the agency office or receive a copy of it.

13. Examine, question and receive a full explanation of any bill regardless of source of payment.

14. All rights and responsibilities specified as they pertain to a patient lacking capacity to exercise these rights, will be exercised by an individual, guardian or entity legally authorized to represent the patient.

15. Be given a statement of services available by the agency and related charges, including the actual dollar amount to be borne by you; be advised prior to initiation of care of the extent to which payment for agency services may be expected from any third party payor and the extent from which payment may be required from the patient, to be advised of any changes in such as soon as possible but no later than 30 calendar days from the date agency was aware of the change. This information shall be provided in writing and orally.

16. Be given information on patient self-determination, Advance Directives, health care proxy, living will and DNR. Existence or lack of Advance Directives does not hamper your access to care or services.

17. Be given information in a language or form that you can reasonably understand.

18. Information about the ownership of the agency.

19. Not to receive experimental treatment or participate in research unless you have given documented voluntary informed consent.

20. Participate in ethical issues and the resolution of conflicts arising in your care.

21. Be referred to other organizations, services, or individuals and be informed of any financial benefit to the referring home care organization.

22. Appropriate assessment of your reports of pain by concerned, qualified staff, as well as information about pain, pain relief measures and the effective management of your pain.

THE PATIENT'S FAMILY OR GUARDIAN MAY EXERCISE THE PATIENT'S RIGHTS WHEN THE PATIENT HAS BEEN JUDGED INCOMPETENT.

The agency expects that the patient will:

1. Be seen by your doctor if a change in your health status occurs.

2. Share complete and accurate health information with agency staff, including present complaints, pain, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications and your pain management regimen.

3. Inform staff of any changes in your health status and make it known if you do not understand or cannot follow instructions. Ask questions about your care and/or service.

4. Be responsible for following the treatment plan recommended by the agency and advise the agency of any problems or dissatisfaction with your services.

5. Cooperate with and be respectful of the agency’s personnel and property and not discriminate against staff because of race, creed, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or handicap.

6. Notify the agency in advance whenever you find you will not be home at the time of your next scheduled agency visit.

7. Notify the agency if you receive services from any other agency of facility and/or if you have rental equipment, which you no longer use.

8. Be responsible for your actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow the agency's instructions.

9. Be responsible for assuring that the financial obligations of your health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.

10. Notify the agency of the existence of and any changes made to Advance Directives.

11. Follow the agency’s policies and procedures concerning patient care and conduct.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THE AGENCY AT 212-273-5500 FOR ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.