What to Expect

Our priorities at Stony Brook are the care and safety of our patients.  While you are a patient here, we will do our best to make you as comfortable as possible.

  • Please inform staff of your preferred name and pronoun
  • Visitation Policy - Family, friends and other designated support persons are welcome to visit you and can be helpful to your recovery.  Patient comfort, care and safety are our primary concerns.
  • We define family as any person who plays an important role in your life. Visitation privileges cannot be denied based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
  • Room Assignment Policy - Patients admitted to the hospital will be assigned a room based on their gender identity rather than birth sex
  • Single stall, gender neutral restrooms are available throughout the hospital.  Individuals are also welcome to use a  restroom that aligns with their gender identity.
  • Advanced 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.
  • Know your rights as a patient. At Stony Brook Medicine, we believe in patient knowledge and empowerment. There is a Bill of Rights posted in many public places throughout the hospital. Please review the Bill of Rights that applies to you. For more information, view Patient and Parent's Bill of Rights.

For more information view our patient guide.