DHDTC DAL 17-01 - Patients' Bill of Rights

February 14, 2017

DHDTC DAL 17-01

Dear Chief Executive Officer:

The purpose of this letter is to alert you to the availability of recent updated and translated publications on the New York State Department of Health's (Department) website.

  • The "Your Rights as a Hospital Patient in New York State" (#1449) booklet is a printable pdf, available in English and six additional languages. The 44-page booklet can be found on the Department's websites by clicking on the following link: Patients' Rights in New York State.

    The currently posted version contains several updates, including updated contact information for the new Quality Improvement Organization contractor, Levanta. The Department is also pursuing a large print version of the booklet in the near future.

    Please use the link above to check back for this.

  • The Patients' Bill of Rights (#1500) was updated to reflect three additional rights, per the laws of 2016, Chapter 241, which requires the Department to revise the Patients' Bill of Rights and provide the new version in advance of its effective date on February 14, 2017. The Patients' Bill of Rights was revised to reflect a patient's right under the Public Health Law (PHL) Section 24 to receive information about the availability of the hospital's standard charges and the health plans it participates with. Per PHL Article 29-CCCC (Care Act), the revisions also give a patient the right to identify a caregiver who can assist in discharge planning and receive information about post-hospital care. Patients' Bill of Rights in New York State

    The Parents' Bill of Rights (#1470) are found at the following link: Parents' Bill of Rights in New York State.

    These documents are also available in English and six additional languages. Both documents are found within the "Your Rights as a Hospital Patient in New York State" booklet.

In accordance with 10NYCRR Title 10, Section 405.7, the Patients' Bill of Rights shall be "posted in clearly viewed areas of the hospital, at readable heights, including the admitting office, patient floors and outpatient department and emergency service waiting areas". In addition, a copy of the Parents' Bill of Rights must be posted and must be provided to parents and medical decision makers of pediatric patients to assist in their decision making. Please use only the Department's file provided on its website to reproduce these documents. Revisions, additions or redesigns of these publications is prohibited. Only reproductions using the Department's electronic files are allowed to be posted and/or distributed to patients in your facility.

Developed in conjunction with the EMSC for Children Committee, this publication is intended to provide hospitals with recommendations to increase the quality of care provided to children.

Should you have questions about the above publications, please contact the Division of Hospitals and Diagnostic & Treatment Centers at (518) 402-1004 or by email at https://apps.health.ny.gov/surveyd8/email-hospdtc.

Sincerely,

Ruth Leslie
Director
Division of Hospitals and Diagnostic & Treatment Centers