Hospital Policies

Cellular Phones

Please do not use cellular phones in direct patient care areas. The use of cellular phones in patient care and medical procedure areas can disrupt medical equipment performance. The medical staff can direct you to public telephones or areas appropriate for usage.

Safety Drills

Safety is a constant concern. We participate periodically in fire and emergency preparedness drills to test safety equipment and as part of our continuing Safety Education Program for all staff. If an alarm sounds while you are here, please stay calm and follow the instructions of the staff. We will take care of you.

Patient Rights

Every patient has rights. They apply to all patients, without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social, cultural, educational or religious background, language, age, ancestry, citizenship, color, national origin, race, medical condition, presence of mental or physical disability, marital status or the source of payment for care.

All patients and parents at UCSF Children's Hospital have the right to:

• Information that is complete and easy to understand
• Care and treatment that is considerate and respectful and that optimizes the patient's comfort and dignity
• Participation in decisions about treatment options, benefits, risks and alternatives including appropriate pain management
• Privacy and confidentiality in all matters
• Consideration of personal beliefs and values
• Responsiveness to requests, needs, concerns or complaints
• Respect for advance health care directives, patient's wishes regarding care and all patient rights

We encourage a partnership between patients, their parents and the health care team. We encourage patients and parents to participate in discussions and decisions about care, options, alternatives, risks and benefits.

Patient Privacy

UCSF Children's Hospital is committed to protecting your child's medical information. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 mandated significant changes in the regulations governing the provision of health benefits, delivery and payment of health care services, and security and confidentiality of patient health information.

For information about the rights you and your child have and the obligations we have regarding the use and disclosure of medical information, please see our Notice of Privacy Practices.

Smoking

Because we care about your health and the health of others, UCSF Children's Hospital and UCSF Medical Center are smoke-free. Smoking in and around the hospital premises and affiliated sites is prohibited. Effective Nov. 20, 2008, outdoor smoking areas were eliminated. Hospital patients who smoke will receive nicotine replacement therapy and counseling by our smoking cessation team. Nicotine replacement products will be available in the hospital Gift Shop at Parnassus and Mount Zion for family members and visitors who smoke. See a map that outlines the UCSF smoke-free zone at Mount Zion and Parnassus.

See more information about our smoke-free workplace.