The following is the bill of rights for patients:
BILL OF RIGHTS
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND
RESPECT
YOU SHALL RETAIN ALL CIVIL RIGHTS THAT HAVE NOT
BEENSPECIFICALLY CURTAILED BY ORDER OF COURT
You have the right to unrestricted and private
communication inside and outside this facility including the following rights:
a. To a peaceful assembly and to join
with other patients to organize a body of or participate in patient government
when patient government has been determined to be feasible by the
facility.
b. To be assisted by any
advocate of your choice in the assertion of your rights and to see a lawyer in
private at any time.
c. To make
complaints and to have your complaints heard and adjudicated
promptly.
d. To receive visitors of
your own choice at reasonable hours unless your treatment team has determined
in advance that a visitor or visitors would seriously interfere with your or
others' treatment or welfare.
e. To
receive and send unopened letters and to have outgoing letters stamped and
mailed. Incoming mail may be examined for good reason in your presence for
contraband. Contraband means specific property which entails a threat to your
health and welfare or to the hospital community.
f. To have access to telephone designated for
patient use.
2. You have the right
to practice the religion of your choice or to abstain from religious
practices.
3. You have the right to
keep and to use personal possessions, unless it has been determined that
specific personal property is contraband. The reasons for imposing any
limitation and its scope must be clearly defined, recorded and explained to
you. You have the right to sell any personal article you made and keep the
proceeds from its sale.
4. You have
the right to handle your personal affairs including making contracts, holding a
driver's license or professional license, marrying, or obtaining a divorce and
writing a will.
5. You have the
right to participate in the development and review of your treatment
plan.
6. You have the right to
receive treatment in the least restrictive setting within the facility
necessary to accomplish the treatment goals.
7. You have the right to be discharged from
the facility as soon as you no longer need care and treatment.
8. You have the right not to be subjected to
any harsh or unusual treatment.
9.
If you have been involuntarily committed in accordance with civil court
proceedings, and you are not receiving treatment, and you are not dangerous to
yourself or others, and you can survive safely in the community, you have the
right to be discharged from the facility.
10. You have a right to be paid for any work
you do which benefits the operation and maintenance of the facility in
accordance with existing Federal wage and hour
regulations.
