Patient Rights and Responsibilities

At UCSF Health, we strive to maintain a safe, respectful and supportive environment for all patients and their families. Below, you'll find information about your rights and responsibilities as a patient.

Patient rights

UCSF recognizes the following rights for all patients:

You have the right to dignity and respect.

This includes:

The right to respect for your cultural, psychosocial, spiritual and personal values, beliefs and preferences.
The right to a safe health care setting – free from mental, verbal, physical or sexual abuse; neglect; exploitation; and harassment.
The right to access protective and advocacy services, including the right to notify government agencies of neglect or abuse.
The right to receive appropriate pain management, as well as information about pain and pain relief measures, and the right to participate in pain management decisions.
The right to be free from any form of restraint or seclusion as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff.

You have the right to information.

This includes:

The right to receive information in terms you can understand about your diagnosis, treatments, expected treatment outcomes and less likely outcomes, and prospects for recovery.
The right to request medical interpreter services, if needed, at no cost to you.
The right to know the name of the health care provider who has primary responsibility for coordinating your care, as well as the names and professional relationships of other providers involved in your care.

You have the right to participate.

This includes:

The right to actively participate in the development and implementation of your treatment plan.
The right to make care decisions and to receive information about any proposed treatment or procedure in order to give informed consent or refuse a course of treatment.
The right to participate in ethical questions that arise in the course of care, including issues of conflict resolution, withholding resuscitative services, and forgoing or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment. To consult with an ethics committee member, ask your nurse or doctor.
The right to refuse treatment and to leave UCSF against the advice of health care providers, to the extent permitted by law.
The right to receive a reasonable response to requests to refuse care and treatments, in accordance with laws and regulations.
The right to have the hospital address your end-of-life decisions and wishes.

You have the right to privacy.

This includes:

The right to be told the reason for the presence of any individual.
The right to have staff who are not involved in your health care leave before an examination and when treatment issues are being discussed.
The right to restrict non-UCSF visitors.
The right to confidential treatment of all communications and records pertaining to your care and hospital stay, to the extent required by law.

You have the right to raise concerns and make complaints.

This includes:

The right to express concerns or complaints about the care you receive from UCSF with the assurance that the quality of our care or future access to our care will not be compromised.
The right to expect a reasonable and timely response to your concerns.

We encourage you to raise any concerns immediately by speaking with staff members or department managers at the time of service, so that we can respond quickly. You may also submit complaints or other feedback to our Patient Relations team or to outside agencies. For more information on submitting a complaint, visit Patient Relations.

Patient responsibilities

As a patient, you have the following responsibilities:

You have the responsibility to honor hospital policies.

We expect you to:

Wear a hospital-issued ID badge while in the hospital.
Respect UCSF property and the property of others in the hospital.
Honor UCSF's right to restrict visitors so as to ensure the health and safety of patients, staff and other visitors.
Comply with UCSF policies prohibiting smoking and use of illicit or non-prescribed drugs and alcohol.
Use the telephone, television and lights with consideration, to avoid disturbing others.

For more information, see our hospital policies.

You have the responsibility to communicate with your care team.

We expect you to:

Give the care team complete and accurate information about your health, to the best of your knowledge.
Alert the care team if you notice changes in your condition or pain levels.
Tell the care team if you don't understand the treatment plan or what's expected of you. Health care providers may not know when you're confused or have questions.
Be respectful when interacting with UCSF staff, other patients and visitors. This includes refraining from language or behavior that is inappropriate, discriminatory, harassing or abusive.

You have the responsibility to participate and be accountable.

We expect you to:

Follow the treatment plan recommended for you by the care team. If you can't or don't want to follow this plan, it is your responsibility to inform the care team.
Make sure you understand how to continue your care after leaving UCSF, including when and where to get further treatment.
Accept the consequences if you refuse treatment or don't comply with the care team's instructions.
Keep appointments, and contact your provider at least 24 hours beforehand (or in the requested time frame) if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment.
Pay bills promptly, and if needed, work with your account representative to make payment arrangements.

High-quality care and excellent service are essential parts of our mission, and you have the right to receive nothing less. Please don't hesitate to notify us if you have concerns or questions about your rights or the care you received.

Resources for your hospital stay

Hospital Stays

Make your hospital stay as smooth and comfortable as possible by finding out how to prepare and what to expect.

Admissions and Discharge

Planning ahead can reduce the stress of a hospital stay. Read about what’s involved in the admissions and discharge process at UCSF Medical Center.

Advance Directives

We encourage all patients to complete an advance health care directive, which allows you to state your preferences for medical treatments. Find more information here.

Food Services

Healthy, convenient dining options for patients, visitors and staff are available at all the campuses of UCSF Medical Center. Find information below on our hospital room service, cafeterias and more.

Health Insurance

Dealing with health insurance and other benefits can be very confusing. If you have questions, please call your insurance representative. Find more info here.

Hospital Policies

Review UCSF Health's policies on visitation, privacy, smoking and more.

Patient Rooms

We have both private and double occupancy rooms, which are assigned depending on availability and your medical needs. Find appointment information here.

Patient Safety

While receiving care at UCSF Medical Center, your safety is our primary concern. Many procedures are in place to protect your well-being. Find more information here.