Patient Rights & Safety

What hospitals must tell you, what they must do, and how to complain when they do not.

15 articles · page 1 of 2 Newest first
Patient Rights & Safety

Hospital Falls Prevention: Keeping Patients Safe

Falls are one of the most common safety incidents in hospitals, particularly among elderly patients. Understanding fall risks and

Reviewed Nov 2026 · 2 min read
Patient Rights & Safety

Leaving the Hospital Against Medical Advice (AMA): What You Should Know

Leaving a hospital against medical advice (AMA) means choosing to leave before your doctor recommends discharge. While you have

Reviewed Nov 2026 · 2 min read
Patient Rights & Safety

How to Get Your Hospital Medical Records

You have the legal right to access your hospital medical records. Whether you need them for a new doctor, insurance claim, or

Reviewed Nov 2026 · 2 min read
Patient Rights & Safety

Hospital Medication Safety: How to Protect Yourself

Medication errors in hospitals can have serious consequences. Being an informed and active participant in your medication

Reviewed Nov 2026 · 2 min read
Patient Rights & Safety

HIPAA and Your Hospital Privacy Rights

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) provides crucial protections for your medical information

Reviewed Nov 2026 · 2 min read
Patient Rights & Safety

Hospital Patient Advocacy: How to Be Your Own Best Advocate

Being an active participant in your hospital care can improve your outcomes, prevent errors, and ensure your wishes are

Reviewed Nov 2026 · 2 min read
Patient Rights & Safety

Patient Advocates in Hospitals: What They Do and How They Help

Patient advocates serve as a bridge between patients and the healthcare system, helping navigate complex medical, administrative

Reviewed Nov 2026 · 2 min read
Patient Rights & Safety

Hospital Discharge Rights: What You Need to Know Before Leaving

Being discharged from a hospital involves important rights that protect your health and safety. Understanding these rights

Reviewed Nov 2026 · 2 min read
Patient Rights & Safety

Hospital Visitation Rights: Who Can Visit and When

Understanding hospital visitation rights helps patients and families navigate what can be a stressful time. Federal regulations

Reviewed Nov 2026 · 2 min read
Patient Rights & Safety

Informed Consent in Hospitals: What You Need to Know

Informed consent is a fundamental patient right that ensures you understand and agree to medical treatments before they happen

Reviewed Nov 2026 · 2 min read
Patient Rights & Safety

Medical Error at the Hospital: What to Do and Your Rights

Medical errors in hospitals are more common than most people realize. Knowing how to respond if you experience or suspect a

Reviewed Nov 2026 · 2 min read
Patient Rights & Safety

How to File a Complaint Against a Hospital

If you've experienced substandard care, safety concerns, or violations of your patient rights, you have the right to file a

Reviewed Nov 2026 · 2 min read

Look up a hospital

Every Medicare-certified hospital has a profile here with its CMS quality measures. A few examples — not a ranking.

Mercy Hospital Bakersfield, CA Phoenixville Hospital Phoenixville, PA Mh ST Joseph Warren Hospital Warren, OH Oaklawn Hospital Marshall, MI

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Important: hospiguide.org is an independent informational resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or Medicare. This site does not provide medical advice and should not be used to decide whether to seek or delay care — talk to a clinician about your situation. Quality measures come from CMS public datasets, released August 13, 2026, and reflect care delivered during earlier reporting periods, so they may not describe a hospital as it operates today. Always verify details at Medicare.gov Care Compare or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).