§ 5100.53. Bill of rights for patients.
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 BEEN
SPECIFICALLY 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.
Cross References This section cited in 55 Pa. Code § 5100.4 (relating to scope); 55 Pa. Code § 5200.32 (relating to treatment policies and procedures); 55 Pa. Code § 5100.52 (relating to statement of principle); 55 Pa. Code § 5200.47 (relating to other applicable regulations); 55 Pa. Code § 5210.56 (relating to other applicable regulations); 55 Pa. Code § 5320.22 (relating to governing body); and 55 Pa. Code § 5320.45 (relating to staff orientation and training).
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