The patient’s treatment begins with the first employee they meet. Nothing is more important than every member of the staff being caring, courteous, friendly, helpful, and prompt in the attention accorded patients. The facility does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, sex, national origin, or sponsor. Specialists One Day Surgery will inform the patient or the patient’s representative of the patient’s rights, prior to the start of the procedure will provide both verbal and written notice of the patient’s rights in a language and manner that the patient, the patient’s representative or surrogate understands all of the patient’s rights.

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1. Patient Rights:

At the center, we believe that our patients have the following rights:

  1. Patients will be treated courteously with respect, consideration and dignity including privacy in treatment;
  2. Patients receive personal privacy and safe physical surroundings while in the surgical center, safe from all forms of abuse and/or harassment;
  3. Patients’ information, communication, records, as related to the patients’ care, will be treated confidentially;
  4. Patients will be informed of treatment and procedures and the expected outcome recommended by their Health Care Practitioner. Each patient will receive complete and current information concerning diagnosis, evaluation, treatment and prognosis in terms that the patient is reasonably expected to understand. Patients may ask questions and receive answers about his/her care. Patients are given the opportunity to participate in decisions involving their health care, except when such participation is contraindicated for medical reasons. When it is medically inadvisable to give such information to the patient, the information is provided to a person designated by the patient or to a legally authorized person;
  5. Patients will be given instructions and follow the treatment plan prescribed by their health care provider(s) when discharged from the facility;
  6. Credentials of Health Care Professionals will be available for patients and staff;
  7. Patients, upon request, may be informed of charges for services, eligibility for third-party reimbursements, and/or may receive a detailed copy of their account statement; Patients may be informed of charges/services and when applicable, the availability of free or reduced cost of care;
  8. Patients will not be discriminated for race, color, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, handicap or sponsor; The patient has the right to be free of reprisal;
  9. Each patient will be informed of provisions for off-hour emergency coverage;
  10. Each patient will be informed of the services available at the center;
  11. Each patient may approve or refuse, the release or disclosure, of their medical record to any health care practitioner and/or healthcare facility, except as required by law or third party payment contract;
  12. Each patient may have access to his/her medical record;
  13. Each patient shall receive information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any non-emergency procedure or treatment or both. An informed consent shall include the provision of information concerning the specific procedure or treatment, the reasonably foreseeable risks involved, and alternatives for care or treatment, if any, in a manner permitting the patient to make a knowledgeable decision to:
  14. Refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be fully informed of the medical consequences;
  15. Refuse to participate in experimental research;
  16. The patient has a right to voice grievances and recommend changes in policies and services to the center’s staff, the Governing Body (Executive Board) and the New York State Department of Health without fear of reprisal;
  17. Express complaints about the care and services provided and to have the center investigate such complaints. The center is responsible for providing a written response within thirty (30) days if requested by the patient indicating the findings of the investigation. The center is also responsible for notifying the patient or his/her designee that if the patient is not satisfied by the center response, the patient may complain to the New York State Department of Health’s Office of Health Systems Management at: New York State Department of Health Central Field Office 217 South Salina Street, Syracuse, NY 13202-3592 (315) 426-7696 Counties Served: Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Tompkins, Tioga. Accrediting Agency AAAHC 847-853-6060.
  18. Privacy and confidentiality of all information and records pertaining to the patient’s treatment;
  19. Approve or refuse the release of the contents of his/her medical record to any health care practitioner and/or health care facility except as required by law or third party payment contract;
  20. Authorize his/her medical record pursuant to the provisions of section 18 of the Public Health Law, and Subpart 50-3 of this Title;
  21. Authorize those family members and other adults who will be given priority to visit consistent with your availability to receive visitors; and
  22. Make known your wishes in regard to anatomical gifts. You may document your wishes in your Health Care Proxy or on a donor card available from the center.
  23. Patients will be informed of the process for expressing suggestions, complaints and grievances according to state and federal regulations, marketing and/or advertising regarding the competence and capabilities of the organization will not be misleading to the patient (see ASC brochure);
  24. Each patient will be informed by the nursing staff of their rights and responsibilities, by receiving a copy of this policy, along with a copy of the advanced directives and Health Care Proxy information. This will be documented in the medical record.
  25. Patients have the right to change providers if other are available.
  26. For information on Medicare Benefits, contact office at www.cms.hhs.gov/ombudsman.resources.

2. Patient Responsibilities:

At the center, we believe that our patients have the following responsibilities:

  1. It is the patient’s responsibility to fully participate in decisions involving his/her own health care and to accept the consequences of these decisions if complications occur;
  2. Provide complete and accurate information to the best of his/her ability about his/her health, any medications, including over-the-counter products and dietary supplements, and any allergies or sensitivities.
  3. The patient is expected to follow his/her doctor’s treatment plan, take medication when prescribed, and ask questions concerning his/her own health care that he/she feels is necessary;
  4. Answer Questions Fully. You or your designated representative had the responsibility to provide an accurate and complete history in order for you to receive effective treatment. To provide complete and accurate information to the best of his/her ability about his/her health, any medications, including over the counter products and dietary supplements and any allergies or sensitivities and their reactions. This includes authorizing release of health records from previous health care providers;
  5. Cooperate and Communicate with Providers. You have the responsibility to participate in discussions and ask questions about your care. You have the responsibility to request further information concerning anything you do not understand, regarding your illness or condition and its treatment. You have a responsibility to obtain and carefully consider all information you may need to give an informed consent for treatment and weigh the consequences of refusing treatment;
  6. The patient is responsible to inform his/her provider of any living will, medical Power of Attorney, or other Health care directives that could affect his/her care;
  7. The patient has the responsibility to provide a responsible adult to transport him/her from the facility and remain with him/her for 24 hours, as required by his/her provider;
  8. Respect and Consideration. You have a responsibility to respect all the healthcare professionals and staff. You have a responsibility to notify your provider, as soon as possible, if you must be late or cancel a scheduled appointment;
  9. Financial Obligations. You have the responsibility for the costs of your care and treatment. You are responsible for assuring the financial obligations of your care are fulfilled. You have a responsibility to adhere to the guidelines of your insurance coverage regarding referral policies;
  10. Conduct. To conduct oneself in a respectful manner, and give consideration to other patients and Health Care Providers/staff.
Apex Surgical Center is Owned and operated by the following organizations and surgeons at the following locations:

Oneida Healthcare
321 Genesee St, Oneida, NY 13421
(315) 363-6000

Hamilton Orthopedic Surgery
85 College Street, Hamilton, NY 13346
91 Perimeter Rd, Rome, NY 13440
1 Oxford Rd, New Hartford, NY 13413
(315) 824-1250

Rudolph Buckley, MD
Russell LaFrance, MD
Raymond J Meeks, MD
Michael Zahn, MD

Genesee Orthopedics
& Plastic Surgery Associates, PC.
4401 Middle Settlement Road, Suite 102
New Hartford, NY 13413
Phone (315) 735-4496

Greg Orlando, MD
David Patalino, MD
James Dennison, MD
Andrew Wickline, MD

CNY Spine and Pain
6 Business Park Ct Utica, NY 13502
(315) 451-5400

Denny Battista, DO

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