York General Hospital endorses a Patient Bill of Rights, with the expectation that observance of these rights will contribute to more effective patient care and greater satisfaction for the patient, physician, and the hospital organization.  York General Hospital supports these rights on behalf of its patients, as an integral part of the healing process.  

At the time of admission all inpatients, obstetrical, medical observation bed, outpatient surgical, and hospice patients, responsible parties and/or significant others shall be given a York General Hospital admission packet which contains their Bill of Rights.  Swing Bed patients will be given a Resident Rights Pamphlet upon admission to Swing Bed.

Each patient or designee, when appropriate, will have the right to:

  • Respectful and safe care given by competent personnel.
  • Be informed of their rights during the admission process.
  • Be informed in advance about their care, treatment, and any changes.
  • Participate in the development and implementation of a plan of care and any changes to that plan.
  • Make informed decisions regarding their care and receive information necessary to make changes.
  • Refuse treatment and to be informed of the medical consequences of refusing treatment.
  • Formulate advance directives and to have the hospital comply with the directives unless the hospital notifies the patient of the inability to do so.
  • Personal privacy and confidentiality of medical records.
  • Be free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
  • Access to free language line services, including sign language.  
  • Access information contained in their medical records within a reasonable time frame upon request, subject to limited circumstances where the attending physician determines it would be harmful to disclose the information to the patient for therapeutic reasons.
  • Be free from chemical and physical restraints that are not medically necessary.
  • Receive hospital services without discrimination based upon race, color, age, disability, religion, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation, national origin, or payer type.  Hospitals are not required to provide uncompensated or free care and treatment unless otherwise required by law.
  • Voice complaints and file grievances without discrimination or reprisal and have those complaints and grievances addressed.