Patient Rights

We are committed to delivering quality medical care to you, our patient, and to making your stay as pleasant as possible. The following Statement of The Patient Rights is endorsed by the administration and staff of this hospital.

It is our goal to provide medical care that is effective and considerate, and we submit this to you as a statement of our policy. You have the right to respectful, considerate care given by competent personnel.

You have the right, upon request, to be given the name of your attending physician, the names of all other physicians directly participating in your care, and the names and functions of other healthcare persons having direct contact with you.

You have the right to every consideration of your privacy concerning your own medical care program. Case discussion, consultation, examination, and treatment are considered confidential and should be conducted discreetly.

You have the right to have all records pertaining to your medical care treated as confidential except as otherwise provided by law or third-party contractual arrangements. The hospital shall provide you, upon request, access to all information contained in your medical records, unless access is specifically restricted by the attending physician for medical reasons or is prohibited by law, within a reasonable time and for a reasonable fee.

You have the right to know what hospital rules and regulations apply to your conduct as a patient.

You have the right to expect emergency procedures to be implemented without unnecessary delay.

You have the right to good quality care and high professional standards that are continually maintained and reviewed.

You have the right to full information in layman’s terms, concerning your diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, including information about alternative treatments and possible complications, and to participate in the development and implementation of the plan. When it is not medically advisable to give such information to you, the information shall be given on your behalf to your next of kin or other appropriate person.

You have the right, in collaboration with your physician, to make decisions involving your health care. This right applies to the family and/or guardian of neonates, children and adolescents. While Warren General Hospital recognizes your right to participate in your care and treatment to the fullest extent possible, there are circumstances under which you may be unable to do so. In these situations (e.g., if you have been adjudicated incompetent in accordance with law, are found by your physician to be medically incapable of understanding the proposed treatment or procedure, are unable to communicate your wishes regarding treatment, or are an unemancipated minor) your rights are to be exercised to the extent permitted by law, by your designated representative or other legally designated person.

You have the right to expect good management techniques to be implemented within the hospital, the avoidance of unnecessary delays, and when possible, the avoidance of personal discomfort through effective pain management.

You have the right to be free of the use of restraints and seclusion that are not medically necessary or that are used in any form as a means of coercion, convenience, or retaliation by the Hospital staff.

You have the right to formulate an advance medical directive, and appoint a surrogate to make healthcare decisions on your behalf. These decisions will be honored by the hospital and its healthcare professionals within the limits of the law and this organization's mission, values and philosophy. If applicable, you are responsible for providing a copy of your advance directive to the hospital. You are not required to have or complete an advance directive in order to receive care and treatment in this facility.

Except for emergencies, the physician must obtain the necessary informed consent prior to the start of any procedure or treatment, or both.

You, or, in the event that you are unable to give informed consent, a legally responsible party, has the right to be advised when a physician is considering you as a part of a medical care research program or donor program, and you, or legally responsible party, must give informed consent prior to actual participation in such a program. You or your legally responsible party may, at any time, refuse to continue in any such program to which you have previously given informed consent.

You have the right to refuse any drugs, treatment, or procedure offered by the hospital, to the extent permitted by law, and a physician shall inform you of the medical consequences of your refusal of any drugs, treatment, or procedure.

You have the right to assistance in obtaining consultation with another physician at your request and own expense.

You have the right to medical and nursing services without discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference, national origin, or source of payment.

If you do not speak English, you should have access, where possible, to an interpreter.

When medically permissible, you may be transferred to another facility only after you or your next of kin or other legally responsible representative has received complete information and an explanation concerning the need for and alternatives to such a transfer. The institution to which you are to be transferred must first have accepted you for transfer.

You have the right to examine and receive a detailed explanation of your bill.

You have the right to full information and counseling on the availability of known financial resources for health care.

You have the right to expect that the health care facility will provide a mechanism whereby you are informed upon discharge of your continuing health care requirements following discharge and the means for meeting them.

If disabled, You have the right to expect reasonable and equal access to the facilities, services, and programs of this hospital.

You cannot be denied the right of access to an individual or agency that is authorized to act on your behalf to assert or protect the rights set out in this section.

You have the right to be informed of your rights at the earliest possible moment in the course of your hospitalization.

You have the right without recrimination, to voice complaints regarding your care, to have those complaints reviewed, and, when possible, resolved.

You Have The Right To Raise A Complaint or Grievance

Being a good patient does not mean being a silent one.  Warren General Hospital encourages patients and their families to “speak up” regarding complaints or grievances.  We believe it is important to respond to all patient and family complaints or grievances as soon as they arise.

Concerns or Complaints during your hospital visit

Sometimes, a patient or family member may have a concern or complaint that arises during the hospital visit that can be quickly addressed.  Examples include concerns about our customer service, your personal comfort, delays in your appointment, and needing more information about your treatment options.  When these concerns occur, we encourage you to contact the manager of the department or a member of your healthcare team so we can quickly address the concern.  You may also contact Patient Relations or the Department of Health at the telephone numbers provided below, if you feel more comfortable doing so.

Grievances or Unresolved Complaints

Sometimes a patient or family may have a concern or grievance about a more serious matter that cannot be quickly resolved by the staff who are taking care of you.  Examples include concerns about quality of care, delay in care, abuse or neglect, harassment, breach of your privacy, or a concern that you are being discharged too soon.  Or, sometimes a complaint was not resolved to your satisfaction before you left our hospital.  When this happens, we encourage you to contact Patient Relations or the Department of Health at the telephone numbers provided below. 

Patients, their family members, or their representatives may file a complaint or grievance by contacting the following individuals:

Patient Relations
Warren General Hospital
Two Crescent Park West
PO Box 68
Warren PA 16365
(814) 723-4973 ext. 2087

Pennsylvania Department of Health
Acute & Ambulatory Care Services
Health & Welfare Building, Room 532
625 Forster Street
Harrisburg PA 17180-0090
1 (800) 254-5164

If you contact Patient Relations, we will investigate the complaint or grievance. We will make our every effort to resolve your complaint the same day.  Grievances often require some investigation, so we will make every effort to respond to the grievance within seven calendar days.  If Patient Relations is unable to complete the investigation or resolve the grievance within seven days, you will be notified of when you can expect to have the grievance resolved.