Patient Bill of Rights

Medical Care:
A patient has the right to be informed of specific details about procedures and treatments in order to make informed decisions.

Communication and Information:
A patient has the right to be informed of the names and functions of all healthcare professionals providing care, and to be supplied with an interpreter, if necessary.

Medical Records:
A patient may have access to his or her medical records.

Cost of Hospital Care:
A patient may receive hospital payment rates.

Discharge Planning:
A patient may receive information for coordination of continued healthcare after discharge.

Transfers:
A patient will be transferred to another facility upon request, or in instances where the transferring hospital is unable to provide the necessary services.

Personal Needs:
A patient should always be treated with courtesy, consideration and respect.

Privacy and Confidentiality:
Physical privacy should be ensured during any test or treatment. Personnel should avoid speaking about a patient's condition in a public area and only discuss it on a need-to-know basis.

Legal Rights:
A patient should be treated without discrimination based on age, religion, national origin, sex, sexual preference or source of payment.

Freedom from Abuse and Restraints:
Restraints are used only if they are ordered by a physician and for a specified period of time to protect the safety of the patient or others.

Private Duty Care:
A patient has the right to contract directly with a New Jersey licensed registered professional nurse of the patient's choosing for private professional nursing care during hospitalization.

Questions and Complaints:
A patient's question or grievance should be given to the Patient Advocate at 973.579.8346 or email patientadvocate@nmhnj.org. The Department of Health agency complaint hotline number is 1.800.792.9770.

Patients receiving mental health services:
Patients receiving services through the Center for Mental Health have expanded rights which are posted at the reception and nursing areas of the Center.