INPATIENT RIGHTS

You have the following rights as a patient in a psychiatric hospital:

1. To a plan of treatment which you understand and have participated in developing.
2. To be informed about all treatments you receive, including medicines, AND to refuse any of these treatments (except in an emergency or after a court order is obtained).
3. To a safe and clean place to stay.
4. To a well-balanced and healthy diet.
5. To appropriate personal clothing and a safe place to keep your belongings.
6. To be safe from abuse or mistreatment from both employees and other residents of the hospital.
7. To practice your religion as you choose.
8. To adequate grooming and personal hygiene supplies.
9. To reasonable privacy in sleeping, bathing, and toileting.
10. To have visitors and to be able to communicate with others, both at the hospital and elsewhere.
11. To have appropriate medical and dental care.

If you feel that any of your rights have been violated, you can:·       

• Notify the facility director where you are a patient.·       
• Contact the Mental Hygiene Legal Service at the facility.
• If you are in a State psychiatric center, contact the Board of Visitors. 
  Each of these names/telephone numbers should be posted on the unit.·       
• If you remain dissatisfied, you can call the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) program at 1-800-624-4143 for further assistance.