In 1972 the American Hospital Association adopted the "Patient's Bill Of Rights" (revised in 1992.)
http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/SocialScienc..._of_Rights.htm
I personally like the concept of patients' "Rights AND Responsibilities" and think it's a good idea for hospitals to somehow inform patients what those are; either in a brochure or posted in places that are easy to read. Here is a link to what Johns Hopkins has.
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/the_j..._of_rights.pdf