Your Arrival at the Cancer Center

Your Rights as a Patient

At Stony Brook Medicine, we respect your rights as a patient and strive to provide considerate, respectful healthcare based on your individual needs. When you begin care at Stony Brook Cancer Center, you will receive information that outlines your rights under New York State law. If you have a question about your rights or need more information, please speak to your nurse, doctor or social worker. You can also call the Department of Patient Advocacy at (631) 444-2880.

Positive Identification

To ensure patient safety and security while meeting standards of compliance, when you begin care at Stony Brook Cancer Center, you will be asked to provide positive identification. In general, a government picture ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID or passport serve to meet this standard.

Remember Your Assistive Devices

Please bring your own assistive devices such as canes and walkers when visiting the Cancer Center. A limited number of wheelchairs are available at the entrance to the Cancer Center.

Cell Phones

To help promote a healing environment, please be courteous when using your cell phone. To protect patient confidentiality, the use of camera phones and/or visual/audio recording is strictly prohibited.

NY Care Information Gateway

If your doctors are not affiliated with Stony Brook University Hospital, you can share your medical information with them if you participate in the NY Care Information Gateway. The NY Care Information Gateway is a regional health information organization (RHIO) that uses a secure computer network to store, protect and share patient health information electronically. You have the right to decide who can access your health information — doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers — which will help them make more informed decisions regarding your care.

We will need your consent allowing us to access your health information, as well as to share your medical records while you are being cared for at Stony Brook Cancer Center.

Advance Directives

Advance directives are written instructions about healthcare treatment made by adult patients before they lose their decision-making capacity. In New York State, the best way to protect your treatment wishes and concerns is to appoint someone you trust to decide about treatment if you become unable to decide for yourself. This person can be a family member, close-friend or same-sex partner. By filling out a form called a healthcare proxy, this person becomes your “healthcare agent.” 

Before appointing a healthcare agent, make sure the person is willing to act as your agent. Discuss with your agent what types of treatments you would or would not want if you become unable to decide for yourself. Make sure your healthcare agent knows your wishes.

Some patients also express specific instructions and choices about medical treatments in writing. A written statement can be included in a healthcare proxy, or it can be in a separate document such as a living will. You will be offered the opportunity to complete a healthcare proxy at your appointment at the Cancer Center.

A Tobacco-Free Environment

Because your health and the health of others is our concern and responsibility, the use
of tobacco is not allowed anywhere on the Stony Brook Medicine campus — inside or out — including Stony Brook Cancer Center, as well as all parking areas and garages. Please note that this includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or the inhaling or exhaling of smoke or vapor from an electronic smoking device or any other matter or substance that contains tobacco or any other matter that can be smoked.

Smoking Cessation

It is in the best interest of your health and the health of your family to stop smoking. We can help. If you are a smoker, ask your doctor or nurse about nicotine replacement. The New York State Smokers’ Quitline offers free counseling and nicotine replacement. Call (866) 697-8487 (866-NY-QUITS) or visit nysmokefree.com. The Suffolk County Department of Health offers a six-week program to assist you with quitting.

To find a class near you, call (631) 853-4017.

For information about guidelines, qualifications and appointments, please call (631) 638-7000.