Patient Bill of Rights

Patient Rights

Niagara University Student Health Services (SHS) recognizes its responsibility to respect the basic human rights of all patients who seek treatment here.

As a patient, you have a right to:

  1. Health care regardless of age, race, gender, religion, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation.
  2. Be treated with respect for personal dignity and privacy.
  3. Confidentiality of medical records: State and federal law forbids the release of medical records without written consent of the patient, except in specific situations where law requires the University Health Center to release information.
  4. Know the identity of the health care professional providing services.
  5. Expect diagnosis, prognosis, and methods to be explained clearly.
  6. Be informed about any risk of mortality or serious side effects.
  7. The opportunity to participate in decisions related to your health care.
  8. Know what alternatives exist for health care and treatment.
  9. Refuse treatment or leave the SHS against your doctor's advice to the extent permitted by law and you have the right to be informed of the consequences of those decisions.
  10. Request information regarding:
    1. your rights as a patient,
    2. your responsibilities as a patient,
    3. available services,
    4. hours of operation,
    5. provisions for after-hours and emergency coverage,
    6. fee schedules for services, payment policies, and explanation of your individual bill, and
    7. data contained in your medical record.
  11. Treatment by the health care provider of your choice, to change providers, and/or be informed of specialists available for your health care needs.
  12. A second opinion or referral.
  13. Expect reasonable environmental safety practices.