RCRH considers each patient a partner in his/her own hospital care. When patients are well-informed, participate in treatment decisions, and communicate openly with his/her doctor and other health professionals, the patient assists in his own effective care.

As a patient at Rapid City Regional Hospital, you have rights and responsibilities. Knowing your rights can help you and the health care professionals work better as a team. This will improve the care you receive as a patient.

Below is an outline of your rights and responsibilities. If you are under 18 years of age, these rights and responsibilities will be carried out by your parents or guardian.

Your Rights, As a patient you can expect...

Considerate and respectful care consistent with sound nursing and medical practice. This includes permitting you to follow spiritual and cultural practices that do not harm others or interfere with the planned course of therapy for you.

Access to services and care the Hospital is able to provide and that is medically indicated without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or source of payment.

To know the identity of Hospital personnel and their professional status and to know the name of the physician responsible for your medical care.

To be given information so you can make informed decisions about your care. If you exhibit a lack of understanding, Hospital personnel will contact your physician so the physician can provide current information on your diagnosis, treatment, and/or prognosis (to the extent they are known) and so (except in emergencies) you can knowledgeably participate in decisions involving your care. This includes necessary information on the consequences of refusing treatment.

To be given information concerning advance directives and to have your advance directive implemented to the extent it is known, and within state laws and Hospital policies. This includes being informed of why an advance directive is not being implemented and having care transferred to other, professionals or facilities at your request and upon the receiving professional’s or facilities approval.

Personal privacy as you reasonably request and subject to the Hospital's ability to provide adequate medical and nursing care. If there are sufficient rooms available in the appropriate areas of care, the Hospital will accommodate your request to transfer to a different room.

Confidential treatment of your medical records and other medical information - unless otherwise required by law; unless you consent to the release of this information; or, unless and to the extent disclosure is required to assure continuity of care for you. The Hospital's general admission consent and other policies allow the Hospital to disclose your name, address, sex and general condition, and to disclose all or portions of your medical record to persons or entities (e.g. insurance companies or other payers) who may be responsible for all or a portion of the Hospital's charges. You may review your medical record while hospitalized with the physician's permission and may receive a copy of the record after discharge upon signing a release and payment of Hospital's reasonable charges.

To have your pain measured regularly and pain treatment initiated.

Transfer to another facility for appropriate care when medically indicated and ordered by your physician. Your consent and the new facility's acceptance of you as a patient will be obtained by the physician prior to transfer.

Information concerning your continuing health care needs after discharge from the Hospital (e.g. medications, appointments) as ordered by the physician.

To be informed when you are participating in experimental or investigational care or research. You may refuse to participate in experimental or investigational treatment or research but your consent is not required for statistical research.

A physical environment meeting accepted industry safety standards and relevant building codes.

If requested, assistance in arranging for consultation with a medical specialist at your expense.

An explanation of Hospital rules or procedures that affect you.

An interpreter or other communication device if you do not speak or understand English, or have a disability affecting communication.

Upon request, an itemized bill or an explanation of the bill regardless of the source of payment.

To be told of the procedure to make a complaint and to receive a response to a complaint made, without recrimination.

Your Responsibilities, As a patient you should...

Provide, to the best of your ability, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalization, medications, advance directives and other information concerning your health.

Tell nursing or other health care personnel if you experience unexpected changes in condition or if you do not understand or consent to proposed treatment or diagnostic or surgical procedures. Ask questions if there are doubts or concerns.

Tell nursing or other health care personnel if you don't understand what you are expected to do to participate in your care.

Tell nursing or other health care personnel if your pain is not being controlled.

Tell nursing or other health care personnel if you refuse treatment or desire limitations on care.

Follow the instructions of nursing and other health care personnel as prescribed by the physician or other practitioner responsible for your care.

Follow Hospital rules and procedures.

Be considerate of other patients and Hospital personnel. Assist in controlling noise, the number of visitors, and in limiting smoking to outside the buildings.

Respect other people’s and the Hospital's property.

Assure the financial obligations for your health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.