South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-16 - Minimum Standards for Licensing Hospitals and Institutional General Infirmaries
Sec2 61-16.1200 - PATIENT CARE AND SERVICES
Section 61-16.1213 - Outpatient Services

A. If the hospital provides outpatient services, the services must meet the needs of the patients in accordance with acceptable standards of practice. Outpatient services must be appropriately organized and integrated with inpatient services. The hospital must assign one or more individuals to be responsible for outpatient services and have appropriate professional and nonprofessional personnel available.

B. If the hospital provides outpatient services, complete records shall be kept on all outpatients and shall be completed immediately after treatment is rendered. These records shall contain sufficient identification data, a description of what was done and/or prescribed for the patient and must be signed or authenticated by the attending physician. When a patient is admitted as an inpatient, all of his outpatient records shall be made a part of his permanent medical record. Records of patients are the property of the facility and must not be taken from the hospital property except by court order. These records shall be maintained and disposed of as specified in Section 1107.

C. Outpatient Services shall be in a location that is easily accessible for all patients and shall have easy access to all necessary hospital services.