Patient Rights

Patient Rights

As a Patient you have the Right…

To receive considerate, respectful, and safe care.

To compose an Advance Directive or a Living Will. Notify your nurse or the Admitting Office for more information.

To know the names and titles of people taking care of you.

To expect information about pain and pain relief.

To receive an explanation of your diagnosis, treatment and expected outcome in words you can understand.

To take part in decisions about your care and to give your permission before any procedure or treatment is started.

To refuse treatment, as much as the law allows you to, and to be informed of the medical risks of your refusal.

To have all communications and records pertaining to your care be treated as private information and to have Hospital staff honor your personal privacy.

To be free from any device that restricts your movements and isolation of any form, unless your doctor determines that these measures are necessary. Such a device may never be used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation.

To receive a full explanation of any research or experimental procedure suggested for treatment, and to give your consent before any such procedure begins.

To receive an explanation about the care you will need after you leave the Hospital. To receive a copy of your bill and an explanation of your bill.

To know what Hospital rules and regulations apply to your conduct as a patient.

To express a complaint and have the Hospital investigate your complaint, contact the Patient Experience line by calling (203) 573-6700. If the complaint was not resolved to your satisfaction, you have the right to contact the State of Ct Dept. of Public Health at (860) 509-7400, or Joint Commission at (800) 994-6610.

Any person consenting to an autopsy has the right to have the autopsy performed at Waterbury Hospital and attended by a non-affiliated physician at his/her own expense and/or to request that the autopsy be performed by a qualified physician at an unaffiliated institution OR at Waterbury Hospital at his/her own expense.

To ask and be informed of the existence of business relationships among the hospital, educational institutions, other health care providers or payers that may influence the patient’s treatment and care.

To receive visitors that you have designated unless their presence infringes on others rights, safety or is medically or therapeutically contraindicated and to withdraw the consent for a person to visit. The designated visitors can be spouse, domestic partner (including same sex partner), friend or family member. A support person may make this designation on your behalf if appropriate.

Please contact the Patient Experience line by calling (203) 573-6700 for more details on the Hospital’s grievance process.

Teletypewriter (TTY) users may call 203-573-7570 to register their complaint.