South Dakota Administrative Rules
Title 44 - Department of Health
Article 44:80 - Residential hospice facilities
Chapter 44:80:09 - Residents' and families rights
Section 44:80:09:07 - Privacy and confidentiality

(1) To send and receive unopened mail;

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

(3) To visit a spouse or, if both are residents 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 resident's room;

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

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

(7) To meet, associate, and communicate with any person of the resident'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 residents in the facility; and

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