Under Public Law 101-508, the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1991, you have certain rights and responsibilities when you enter any healthcare area. For your convenience, these rights and responsibilities are outlined below.

Your Rights

As a patient, you have the right to:

• Request or refuse treatment.
• Be involved in your plan of care, including pain management, discharge planning, and your healthcare decisions.
• Receive quality treatment and care in a safe setting.
• Be treated with dignity and respect, without discrimination, and receive prompt and courteous treatment.
• Practice your own cultural and spiritual beliefs that do not interfere with the well being of others.
• Have privacy respected, with communications and records confidential.
• Know the name and role of any person providing services to you.
• Receive information regarding your care in terms you can understand before any treatment. 
• Be informed about the outcomes of your care, including unanticipated outcomes.
• Receive information and have a choice in treatment, referral or transfer to a different facility if you choose or when recommended by your physician.
• Receive information regarding your needs for continuing care after discharge.
• Have access to your medical record and receive information regarding charges and available payment methods.
• Have pain needs recognized and addressed promptly.
• Formulate Advance Directives and have practitioners and staff provide care that is consistent with these directives to the extent permitted by law.
• Have freedom from seclusion and restraints unless clinically necessary.
• Contact a nurse manager or administrator if you have a grievance or complaint concerning the quality of your care.

Your Responsibilities

As a patient, you and your family have the responsibility to:

• Respect the privacy of confidentiality of other patients.
• Respect the rights of other patients and staff.
• Follow all Black Hills Surgical Hospital rules and regulations pertaining to safety, smoking, noise, general conduct, and procedures.
• Inform staff of all past illnesses, previous hospitalizations and current medications
• If you have Advanced Directives, provide a copy to the Black Hills Surgical Hospital.
• Notify staff when you are in pain and assist with your pain management.
• Follow the treatment plan established by the physician and health care providers.
• Be responsible for your own actions if treatment is not followed and recognize the impact of your lifestyle choices on your personal health.
• Ask questions regarding your treatment procedures.
• Provide information concerning your ability to pay for services rendered.
• Inform staff of any complaints or grievances.

Patient Grievance Process

During your stay, if you have comments, questions or concerns that have not been addressed, or if you think you are being prematurely discharged, please ask to speak with a manager and your caregiver will contact someone immediately. 

To file a written comment, question or concern with our facility, you may write to:

Black Hills Surgical Hospital
Attn:  Chief Executive Officer
216 Anamaria Drive
Rapid City, SD 57701

At any time, a you or your representative may contact the South Dakota Department of Health at:

South Dakota Department of Health Licensure and Certifications
615 East 4th Street
Pierre, SD 57501
or call (605) 773-3356

Comments, questions and concerns to this facility will be addressed within seven business days.