Patient Rights

As a patient at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, you have rights that we are committed to protecting. You also have responsibilities, and understanding them will help you make decisions about your care that are best for you.

Health Status

You have the right to:

• Receive complete and current information concerning your diagnosis, treatment, and any known prognosis
• Be told of realistic care alternatives when hospital care is no longer appropriate

Care Planning and Treatment

You have the right to:

• Reasonable, informed participation in the decisions involving your care
• Refuse any participation in experimental studies or research/ educational projects affecting your care
• Be informed of who is responsible for authorizing and performing procedures or treatment

You will not be subject to any procedure without your voluntary, competent, and understanding consent.

Refusal of Treatment

You have the right to:  

• Refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law

When refusal of treatment by you or your legally authorized representative prevents the provision of appropriate care in accordance with professional standards, the relationship with you may be terminated upon reasonable notice.

Advance Directives

You have the right to:

• Give directions about your wishes for medical care or to designate another person(s) to make medical decisions on your behalf

Personal Privacy

You have the right to:

• Privacy during medical treatments and other care
• Be examined in surroundings designed to make sure you have reasonable visual and auditory privacy

• Have a person of your own gender present during certain parts of a physical examination, treatments, or procedure performed by a healthcare provider of the opposite sex

Personal Safety

You have the right to:

• Expect reasonable safety where hospital practices and environment are concerned
• Be free from all forms of abuse or harassment
• Be placed in protective privacy when it is considered necessary for personal safety

Confidentiality

You have the right to:

• Confidentiality of all records and communications concerning your health history and treatment to the extent provided by law
• Assess information in your clinical record within a reasonable time
• Refuse to talk with or see anyone not officially connected with the hospital, including visitors or people officially connected with the hospital, but not directly involved in your care
• Expect any discussion or consultation involving your case will be conducted discreetly, and that people not directly involved in your care will not be present without your permission

Patient Responsibilities

As a patient, you have the responsibility to:

• Provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitaliza- tions, medications, and other health related matters
• Report unexpected changes in your condition to your health care provider
• Make it known if you don’t clearly understand a possible course of action and what is expected of you
• Follow the treatment plan recommended by your healthcare provider

Grievance Process

We want your visit or stay at Prairie Lakes to be as positive as possible. A patient representative is available to talk with and to help patients, families, and visitors with issues or problems, early discharge concerns, or a complaint. If you have a complaint that has not been resolved by Prairie Lakes staff at the time of your complaint and you wish to file a formal grievance, you may do so by telephone, letter, or in person at the address and phone number below.

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System
401 9th Ave NW
Watertown SD 57201
Attn: Patient Representative
605-882-7672 (may leave a message after hours)
Business Hours: Monday through Friday 8 AM – 4:30 PM

Resolution of your grievance is important to us and you will receive written responses from Prairie Lakes regarding your grievance. The first written response will be within seven (7) business days to let you know we have received your grievance and any findings from the review and investigation surrounding the grievance. Depending on the nature of your grievance, the review and investigation may take a period of time. Prairie Lakes will provide a written response at intervals no greater than thirty (30) days to keep you informed of the progress as we work to resolve the grievance.

In addition to contacting the hospital’s Patient Representative, grievances may also be directed to the South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care at 605-336-3505 or the South Dakota Department of Health at 1-800-738-2301.

Telephones are provided in patient rooms. There is no charge for local calls.

To make a local call:

1. Press 9
2. Then your number

Long-distance calls should be made with a calling card. Cell phone usage is also permitted throughout the hospital.

Calling a Patient’s Room

To reach a patient's room, call the main hospital number at 605-882-7000 or toll-free at 1-877-917-PLHS and ask to be connected to the patient's room.

Patient Safety

At Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, we have established initiatives that ensure your safety while you are a patient with us. Please review the following policies that have been established in addition to the proposed suggestions regarding how you, the patient, can participate in these safety measures.

Fall Prevention

In an effort to keep patients safe, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System has a fall prevention program. All patients are assessed for their risk of fall and preventive actions are implemented as appropriate. You can help prevent a fall by wearing non-skid slippers when up, calling for help when getting up and moving around, and not using IV poles, the overbed tables, or other objects on wheels to steady yourself.

Identification Bracelets

Your identification bracelet serves as a tool to confirm your identity. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System staff members will check your bracelet before drawing blood and prior to other medical tests and treatments. In addition, your bracelet will be scanned with a scanner prior to medication administration. Please assist us by showing your bracelet when medical personnel enter your room.

Smoking Cessation

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, more people die of lung cancer than any other cancer. People who smoke are 10 to 20 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System recommends smoking cessation for your health and for the health of those around you. The South Dakota Department of Health offers a toll-free QuitLine at 1-866-SD- QUITS. This service provides coaching from the South Dakota Department of Health that has been shown to double your chances of success.

Restraints

During your stay, you have the right to be free from unnecessary restraints or seclusion. And, you will be treated with respect and dignity.

Hand Washing

Hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infections. You can spread certain germs by touching another person. You can also catch germs when you touch objects or surfaces and then touch your face (mouth, eyes, and nose). Good hand washing techniques include using an adequate amount of soap, rubbing the hands together to create friction, and rinsing under running water.

Waterless, alcohol-based hand cleansers are available at your bedside to use before meals, after toileting and after coughing or blowing your nose. Simply apply the cleanser to the palm of your hand and rub hands together until dry.

Cleanser is available by your door for visitors to wash/clean as they enter and leave the room. Please encourage your visitors to practice proper hand washing techniques as well.

You may also ask staff/physicians if they have washed their hands.

Ask Questions

Play an active role in your healthcare. Ask questions when you do not understand what is being explained to you. It is okay to ask staff what they are doing and why. Also, it is important you under- stand what medications you are taking and why. Feel free to ask questions about your medications.

Patient Privacy

Upon admission, you will be asked if you would like your name in the Patient Directory. You may consent or decline. If you consent, it means that when visitors, family members, clergy, etc. call to find out what room you are in or what your condition is, they may be told. The information included in the directory will include your name, room number, and condition only. This also means members of the media would be privileged to this information as well. If you decline, no one will be told any information, including confirming that you are a patient here.

Advance Directives

During your stay with us, you will be asked if you have Advance Directives, such as Durable Power of Attorney or a Living Will, in the event you are unable to make decisions about your health. These written documents inform healthcare staff members and your family of your wishes regarding serious illness or end-of-life issues. It is important to know you have the right to make these decisions. If you do have a Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney (or both) please inform the staff. If you do not, and you would like more information, contact our Social Services Department at 7633 or 6730 and materials will be provided to you.

The Patient Channel

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System offers patients access to The Patient Channel. Located on channel 88, this informational patient education channel provides education programs on a variety of topics. Tune in with your remote control.

Calling a Patient's Room

Friends and family members who wish to call a patient’s room must first call the hospital’s main number at 605-882-7000 or toll-free at 1-877-917-PLHS and ask to be connected with the patient’s room.

Gifts and Flowers

Gifts are welcomed for patients in the hospital. At Prairie Lakes, we recognize that patients enjoy receiving gifts and family members and friends enjoy giving them. Patients in the Critical Care Unit or with a respiratory illness are usually best served with gifts that are not flowers, like balloons, stuffed animals, or cards.

If you’d like to give flowers, the ones that make the best gift for hospital patients have little or no scent and are allergy friendly with minimal pollen. Lilies especially have posed allergy difficulties. High fragrant flowers, such as freesia, lilies, and lilacs, may be sent home with visitors or stored in another room until the patient is discharged.

Gift Shop: 

A team of volunteers operates the Prairie Lakes Gift Shop, located on the first floor of the hospital. An assortment of unique gift items, balloons, candy and cards are available. Proceeds from the gift shop benefit the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation. The gift shop is typically open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone orders are welcome during business hours.

Visitors

Visitors are welcome at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. Masks are required if:

• You have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days
• You have been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 10 days
• You are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19: Shortness of breath, fever, cough/sore throat, fatigue/muscle pain, chills/dizziness, vomiting/diarrhea, loss of tast and smell, headache, congestion or runny nose

Visitors may be asked to step out of the patient’s room during testing, therapy, or for other medical treatment administration. Patients have the right to receive or deny visitors and may change their visitation list. The hospital's main entrance hours are 7:00 am - 9:00 pm.

Cafe

Prairie Lakes Cafe is located on the first floor of the hospital. A variety of meals and snacks are prepared by our team. The café is open every day of the week, as well as on holidays.

Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Weekends and Holidays 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Learn more and view the hot food menu

Visitors are also welcome to use the Room Service program, payable upon delivery.

WiFi

Free wifi is available under the network PLHSGuest.

Caring Club House

The Prairie Lakes Caring Club House is a home away from home located on the Prairie Lakes campus. The Caring Club House offers convenient and comfortable lodging for outpatients and family members of patients receiving care at Prairie Lakes. If a visitor is interested in staying at the Caring Club House, please call 605-882-6888 for registration information. For visitors who wish to stay at the hospital with the patient, rollaway beds are available.Learn more

Chapel

A non-denominational chapel is located on the second floor of the hospital for use by all visitors and patients. Pastoral care representatives are available by calling 605-882-6743.

Directions and Hours

Prairie Lakes Hospital is located on the main campus in Watertown at 401 9th Ave NW. Main entrance hours are 7:00 am - 9:00 pm. Learn more

Telephones

A public telephone is available in the lobby. Cell phone use is permitted throughout the facility.

Waiting Areas

Waiting areas are located near Same Day Surgery, Emergency Services, Critical Care Unit, Maternal Child Health, Dialysis, Specialty Clinic, second floor patient care, and third floor patient care (Medical/Surgical/Pediatrics).

The staff at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is committed to helping you as you prepare for discharge. At Prairie Lakes, the social worker is a key person in the discharge planning process.

The social worker is available to work with you to identify any help you might need and also to assist with contacting those in the community who might be able to help you. A social worker is available 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. M-F to help you with the discharge planning process at 605-237-1519.

The nursing and therapy staff will also play a role in identifying any assistance you might need. One of the goals of the entire team is to help you safely transition from Prairie Lakes to the next step in your healthcare journey.

The following information will give you and the healthcare team a set of tools to evaluate what sort of discharge arrangements will be needed so you are safely discharged from the acute care setting.

Mobility Assessment

• I can get in and out of bed by myself
• I can safely get to and from the bathroom
• I need someone walking with me to support me
• I need a walker for safety
• I have stairs into my home
• My bathroom/bedroom is upstairs
• I have fallen or am afraid of falling

Social/Support System

• I have someone who will stay with me if I need it when I am discharged
• My spouse can assist me with everything that needs to be done
• I have friends/family who will check on me daily - I have friends/family who will help with laundry, grocery shopping, meal prep, etc
• I have services from the Department of Social Services - My social worker’s name is ________________

Personal Care Activities & Daily Living Assessment

• I will need help with bathing
• I will need help with a shampoo
• I will need help with laundry
• I will need help making the bed
• I will need help with meal prep
• I will need help with shopping, groceries, housekeeping, etc.
• I will need help with medications

Follow-Up Needs

• Home Health - nursing, therapy aide
• Therapy services
• Housekeeping/aide help
• Meals on Wheels
• Transportation
• Swing bed
• Skilled nursing facility
• Lifeline

Important Phone Numbers

• Home Care
  605-882-7745
• Hospice
  605-882-7745
• Department of Social Services
  605-882-5003
• Rehabilitation/Therapy
  605-882-7700
• Meals on Wheels
  605-882-2166
• Watertown Area Transit
  605-882-5287
  Free for medical appointments.

Mail

Patients may receive mail in care of:

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System
401 9th Ave. NW
Watertown, SD 57201

Patient mail is delivered daily. Patients may also receive e-cards. These are messages sent via Prairie Lakes website. E-cards are delivered Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Medications from Home

Nursing staff will administer medications during your stay. If you have brought medications from home, please inform your nurse when you arrive.

Smoking

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is a non-smoking campus.

Valuables

Please do not keep valuables with you during your stay. Send them home with a loved one. Patients will be notified by postcard if a personal item has been left behind after discharge.

Going Home

From the time you’re admitted as a patient to the time of discharge, the care planning team works with you to plan the best arrangements for you following your discharge. Whether you’re going home, to the Swing Bed program or to another care facility, we will work with your physician to assess your continuing needs following your hospitalization.

Every person feels and responds to pain differently. As a result, you are the only one who knows how you feel. We understand that managing pain is important. Pain control can help you be more comfortable while you heal. Pain control can also help you get well faster. When your pain is controlled at a comfortable level, it can help you start walking, complete breathing exercises, and regain strength. Please use the following scale to indicate to your physician or nurse what your pain level is. Be honest when they ask how you are feeling. Pain control will only help in your recovery.

Pain Scale:

As a patient of Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, your comfort and well-being are our primary concern. In this area of our website you will find information about services and polices that have been implemented for your convenience and safety.

Please share the following toll-free number and contact information for Prairie Lakes Healthcare System with your friends and family. 

Prairie Lakes Toll-Free Number: 1-877-917-PLHS (7547)

Local Number: 605-882-7000

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Address:

401 9th Ave. NW l PO Box 1210
Watertown, SD 57201

It is our privilege to care for you and to make your stay or visit as comfortable and convenient as possible. 

Dialysis Hours:

• 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F

Dialysis Hours:

• 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F