At York Hospital, we do everything we can to provide an excellent, welcoming experience. That means working with our patient advisory group to improve all we do and advocating for your rights as a patient.
Patient advisory group
We don’t just hear or read our patients’ comments—we invite them to help us make a change! Since 2008, we’ve worked with an active group of patient advisors to help us make decisions surrounding the patient experience at all our locations.
York Hospital’s Patient and Family Advisors meets monthly with key leaders to provide valuable input, opinions, and guidance to overcome challenges and, most importantly, help improve the quality of care. If you’re interested in learning more about the advisory group, please call
Patient rights
We will show you dignity, respect, and compassion:
- You’ll be treated with consideration, respect, and full recognition of your dignity and individuality, including privacy in treatment and personal care.
- You’ll also be informed of the name, licensure status, and staff position of all those in contact with you.
- You have the right to have your pain managed and supported.
- If you have a medical emergency or are in labor, you have the right to receive, within the capabilities of our facilities: an appropriate medical screening examination; necessary stabilizing treatment (including treatment for an unborn child); and, if necessary, an appropriate transfer to another facility even if you can’t pay or don’t have medical insurance and are not entitled to Medicare or Medicaid.
We will empower you with control over your care:
- You and/or your representative have the right to make informed decisions regarding the plan of care. Your rights include being informed of your health status; involvement in your care, treatment, and discharge planning; and the ability to request or refuse treatment.
- This right isn’t to be used to demand treatment or services deemed medically unnecessary or inappropriate.
We will honor the privilege of treating you in your life journey:
- You won’t be denied appropriate care on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, or source of payment, nor will any such care be denied on account of your sexual orientation.
- You will be ensured confidential treatment of all information contained in your personal and clinical record, and your written consent will be required for the release of information to anyone not otherwise authorized by law to receive it.
- You have the right to request advance directives and/or expect that advance directives will be honored when applicable.
- You have the right to have your personal doctor and a family member or other person you choose notified that you have been admitted to the hospital.
We will create a safe, comfortable environment for your care:
- You have the right to receive care in a safe setting free from all forms of abuse, neglect, and harassment.
- You have the right to be free from restraint or seclusion of any form imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff. Restraint or seclusion may only be imposed to ensure your immediate physical safety or that of a staff member and/or others and must be discontinued at the earliest possible time.
We will give unselfishly:
- You have the right to full information and counseling on the availability of financial aid for care rendered if requested.
We will be kind, honest, and genuine:
- Medical information contained in the medical records will be deemed your property. You will be entitled to a copy of such records upon request. You also have the right to add an addendum to the medical record if you don’t agree with the information contained in the record.
- You will receive information in a way you understand, including interpretation and translation in a language you prefer and the provision of assistance for vision, hearing, or cognitive impairments if needed.
- You may voice grievances and recommend changes in policies and services to facility staff or outside representatives free from restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal. The right to lodge a grievance or complaint about a hospital stay or the care received can be made to the State by writing: Maine Department of Health and Human Services Licensing and Certification Regulatory Services: 41 Anthony Avenue, #11 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0011;
1 (800) 383-2441 . You may also contact: LIVANTA BFCC-QIO Program 9090:(866) 815-5440 or TTY(866) 868-2289 .
We will welcome you and your loved ones:
- You or your support person(s) must be informed of your visitation rights. You have the right to designate a support person or representative to act on your behalf to assert and protect your patient rights.
- You can have a family member, friend, or other individual be present for emotional support during the course of your stay.
We will make opportunities to create joy and happiness:
- We are committed to providing the best care possible. If you have any concerns about your care, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Leaders for the various services are available, as is Patrick A. Taylor, MD, York Hospital President.
For more information, call the Care Access Center at