South Dakota Administrative Rules
Title 44 - Department of Health
Article 44:75 - Hospital, specialized Hospital critical access Hospital, and rural emergency Hospital facilities
Chapter 44:75:15 - Swing bed patients' Rights
Section 44:75:15:08 - Privacy and confidentiality

(1) To send and receive unopened mail and to have access to stationery, postage, and writing implements at the patient's own expense;

(2) To access and use a telephone without being overheard;

(3) To visit a spouse or, if both are patients of the same facility, to share a room with the spouse, within the capacity of the facility, upon the consent of both spouses;

(4) Except in an emergency, to have room doors closed and to require knocking before entering the patient's room;

(5) To have only authorized staff present during treatment or activities of personal hygiene;

(6) To retire and rise according to the patient's wishes, as long as the patient does not disturb other patients;

(7) To meet, associate, and communicate with any person of the patient's choice in a private place within the facility;

(8) To participate in social, religious, and community activities that do not interfere with the rights of other patients in the facility; and

(9) To approve or refuse the release of personal and medical records to any individual outside the facility, except when the patient is transferred to another health care facility or when the release of the record is required by law. With the patient's permission, a facility shall allow the state ombudsman or a representative of the ombudsman access to the patient's medical records.