Patient Advisors & Rights
Advisors
We don’t just hear or read our patients’ comments, we invite them to help us change! Since 2008, we have been working with an active group of patient advisors to help us make decisions around patient experiences at York Hospital and all of our service and practice sites. York Hospital’s Patient and Family Advisors meet monthly with key leaders to provide valuable input, opinions and guidance to help overcome challenges, and most importantly, to help improve experiences and care. If you are interested in learning more about the Advisor group, please call
207-351-2110
Patients’ Rights
With loving-kindness, we devote ourselves to others. We respectfully care for each individual without imposing our judgments. We offer love, empathy, understanding and nurturing. We are grateful for the privilege of helping others. In loving-kindness we are determined to value your rights as a patient in our care:
We will embrace you with dignity, respect and compassion.
- You shall be treated with consideration, respect, and full recognition of your dignity and individuality, including privacy in treatment and personal care and will also be informed of the name, licensure status and staff position of all those with whom you have contact.
- You have the right to have your pain managed and supported.
- If you have a medical emergency or are in labor, you have the right to receive, within the capabilities of this facility: an appropriate medical screening examination; necessary stabilizing treatment (including treatment for an unborn child) and, if necessary, an appropriate transfer to another facility even if you cannot pay or do not have medical insurance and are not entitled to Medicare or Medicaid.
We will listen, love and laugh with our hearts.
- You or your representative have the right to make informed decisions regarding the plan of care. Your rights include being informed of your health status and involvement in your care, treatment and discharge planning, as well as the ability to request or refuse treatment.
- This right must not be constructed as a mechanism to demand the provision of treatment or services deemed medically unnecessary or inappropriate.
We will honor the privilege of being present in others life journeys.
- You shall not be denied appropriate care on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, or source of payment, nor shall any such care be denied on account of your sexual orientation.
- You shall be ensured confidential treatment of all information contained in your personal and clinical record, and your written consent shall be required for the release of information to anyone not otherwise authorized by law to receive it.
- You have the right to request advance directives and/or expect that advance directives will be honored when applicable.
- You have the right to have your personal doctor and a family member or other person you choose notified that you have been admitted to the hospital.
We will smile, touch and embrace warmly.
- You have the right to receive care in a safe setting free from all forms of abuse, neglect and harassment.
- You have the right to be free from restraint or seclusion of any form imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff. Restraint or seclusion may only be imposed to ensure your immediate physical safety, or that of a staff member, and/or others and must be discontinued at the earliest possible time.
We will give unselfishly.
- You have the right to full information and counseling on the availability of financial aid for care rendered if requested.
We will be kind, honest and genuine.
- Medical information contained in the medical records shall be deemed your property. You shall be entitled to a copy of such records upon request. You also have the right to add an addendum to the medical record if you do not agree with the information contained in the record.
- You will receive information in a way you understand — including interpretation and translation in a language you prefer and provided assistance for vision, hearing our cognitive impairments if needed.
- You may voice grievances and recommend changes in policies and services to facility staff or outside representatives free from restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal. The right to lodge a grievance or complaint about a hospital stay or the care received can be made to the State by writing: Maine Department of Health and Human Services Licensing and Certification Regulatory Services: 41 Anthony Avenue, #11 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0011; 1-800-383-2441. You may also contact: LIVANTA BFCC-QIO Program 9090: 866-815-5440 or TTY 866-868-2289.
We will show thankfulness and appreciation to others.
- You or your support person(s) must be informed of your visitation rights. You have the right to designate a support person or representative to act on your behalf to assert and protect your patient rights.
- You can have a family member, friend or other individual be present for emotional support during the course of your stay.
We will make opportunities to create joy and happiness.
- We are committed to providing the best care possible. If you have any concerns about your care, please do not hesitate to let us know. Leaders for the various services are available as is Patrick A. Taylor, MD, York Hospital President.
Please call the Care Access Center for further information at (207) 363-4321 or dial “0” on any in-house phone.