Our commitment to our patients
The University of California and UCSF respect and aim to treat everyone with dignity and to be fair and responsible in all of our work. This is described further in UCSF Health's Notice of Patient Rights and Responsibilities. You can learn more about our values and standards in the University's Statement of Ethical Values and Standards of Ethical Conduct, as well as UCSF's PRIDE Values and Principles of Community.
We want to hear about your experience at UCSF Health. Find out how to contact us* with comments, questions or concerns. You can stay anonymous if you would like.
Notice of nondiscrimination
UCSF Health does not allow discrimination or harassment, including sexual assault and other types of sexual harassment, in any of its facilities, programs or activities. UCSF Health gives equal opportunities no matter a person's race, religion, color, citizenship, national or ethnic origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), ancestry, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental disabilities, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, age, or veteran or military status. UCSF Health does not exclude people or treat them less favorably based on these protected characteristics.
To learn more about our rules against discrimination, you can read the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy and our Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy.
Language, hearing, and visual access assistance and reasonable modifications
UCSF is committed to effective communication with our patients and their caregivers. We provide meaningful access to our programs, activities and services free of charge and in a timely manner. For example:
- UCSF translates frequently used key documents into different languages for those whose first language is not English.
- UCSF offers qualified interpreters or video remote interpreting in various languages, including American Sign Language.
- UCSF provides auxiliary aids and services including information in alternate formats, like large print, recorded audio and accessible electronic format; and support from qualified readers.
- UCSF provides reasonable modifications for qualified individuals with disabilities when necessary to promote accessibility and equal opportunity to participate in our programs, activities and services.
Learn more about Accessibility Resources at UCSF. To request a reasonable accommodation, you can contact Patient Relations at [email protected], (415) 353-1936 (ph), (415) 885-3889 (TTY), (415) 353-8556 (fax) or by mail to Patient Relations Department, UCSF Health, 1975 Fourth St., Campus Box 4018, San Francisco, CA 94158.
How to report discrimination, harassment and retaliation
If you've faced discrimination, harassment or related retaliation, and you would like to file a complaint, you can contact Patient Relations, who will refer your complaint to the UCSF Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD). You can also report directly to OPHD. Here's how OPHD can help:
- Take your report of discrimination, harassment or retaliation
- Explain your options
- Provide information about support resources
You can call OPHD at (415) 502-3400. You can also fill out a complaint form online, send a complaint by email or mail a complaint to the OPHD office. OPHD keeps your information as private as possible but sometimes they might need to share details with other officials or agencies due to certain laws and policies.
If you're dealing with sexual violence, sexual harassment or other sexual misconduct and aren't sure about reporting it, consider talking to confidential resources first for support, for example:
- UCSF CARE Advocate Office (serves interpersonal violence survivors)
Phone: (415) 502-8802 - Trauma Recovery Center/Rape Treatment Center (serves adult survivors of trauma, violence and loss)
Phone: (415) 437-3000 - SF Women Against Rape (serves sexual assault survivors of all genders)
Phone: (415) 647-7243 (24-hour crisis line) - W.O.M.A.N., Inc. (serves interpersonal violence survivors)
Phone: (415) 864-4722 (24-hour crisis line) - Community United Against Violence (serves LGBTQI people dealing with violence or abuse)
Phone: (415) 333-4357 (voicemail)
These organizations keep your information private and do not have to report it to UCSF Health or the University.
If you want to report sexual violence, you can also contact the UCSF Police Department: Phone: (415) 476-6911 (emergency) or (415) 476-1414 (non-emergency)
If you prefer to report discrimination, harassment or related retaliation to an outside agency, most accept complaints by phone, online or in writing:
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights
Online: http://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf
By mail: 200 Independence Ave., SW
Room 509F, HHH Building
Washington, DC 20201
Phone: (800) 368-1019 (voice) or (800) 537-7697 (TDD)
- California Civil Rights Department
Online: http://ccrs.calcivilrights.ca.gov/s/
In person: http://calcivilrights.ca.gov/locations/
By mail: 651 Bannon St., Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: (800) 884-1684 (voice) or (800) 700-2320 (TTY)
Other complaints – including anonymous reports
You may report complaints or grievances about the care or services you receive at UCSF Health or any of our providers to Patient Relations.
Other agencies that accept reports include:
- Medical Board of California
- California Department of Consumer Affairs
- California Department of Public Health's Center for Health Care Quality
- The Joint Commission
How to obtain your medical records
You can request your medical records in person, online or by mail. Visit Medical Records for instructions.
Patient feedback
We want to hear about your experience at UCSF Health. Find out how to contact us* with comments, questions or concerns. You can stay anonymous if you would like.
* Patient Relations is UCSF Health's Section 1557 Coordinator. UCSF's Office of Disability Access and Inclusion is UCSF Health's Section 504 Coordinator.
