The Patient Relations Department ensures your safety and comfort during your hospital stay and helps to promote effective communication between you and the hospital staff.
Patient Representatives
718 283-7212
Our patient representatives educate you and your family about your rights and responsibilities while in the hospital. Patients are visited by a patient representative within 24 hours of admission. We advocate on your behalf and assist in handling issues such as advance directives and other care wishes. Most patient representatives are bilingual and/or multilingual. Languages spoken include: Hebrew, Yiddish, Urdu, Spanish, Italian, German, Chinese, Arabic, Greek and Russian. They are available in the emergency department around the clock and on inpatient units from 8:00am - 12:00 midnight, 7 days a week.
Advance Directives
Advance directives describe your wishes about treatment should you be too sick or unable to make decisions yourself. Advance directives include but are not limited to a health care proxy, a do not-resuscitate (DNR) order and a living will.
Health Care Proxy - New York State law allows you to appoint someone to make treatment decisions on your behalf should you lose the ability to decide for yourself. You may also use a health care proxy to indicate your wishes regarding organ donation. For more information click here.
Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Order -At your request, a DNR order may be included in your medical chart. It instructs the medical staff not to try to revive you if your breathing or heartbeat has stopped.
Living Will - A living will is a written document that expresses in advance your specific instructions and choices regarding medical treatment. Living wills are evidence of your wishes, if you are seriously ill and not able to communicate.