Section 1175. Discharge planning

A. Every hospital shall provide each patient admitted as an inpatient or his legal guardian the opportunity to designate an individual who will care for or assist the patient in his residence following discharge from the hospital and to whom the hospital shall provide information regarding the patient's discharge plan and any follow-up care, treatment, and services that the patient may require.

B. Every hospital upon admission shall record in the patient's medical record:

1. The name of the individual designated by the patient;

2. The relationship between the patient and the person; and

3. The person's telephone number and address.

C. If the patient fails or refuses to designate an individual to receive information regarding his discharge plan and any follow-up care, treatment, and services, the hospital shall record the patient's failure or refusal in the patient's medical record.

D. A patient may change the designated individual at any time prior to the patient's release, and the hospital shall record the changes, including the information referenced in subsection B of this section, in the patient's medical record within 24 hours of such a change.

E. Prior to discharging a patient who has designated an individual pursuant to subsection A or D of this section, the hospital shall (i) notify the designated individual of the patient's discharge, (ii) provide the designated individual with a copy of the patient's discharge plan and instructions and information regarding any follow-up care, treatment, or services that the designated individual will provide, and (iii) consult with the designated individual regarding the designated individual's ability to provide the care, treatment, or services. Such discharge plan shall include:

1. The name and contact information of the designated individual;

2. A description of follow-up care, treatment, and services that the patient requires; and

3. Information, including contact information, about any health care, long-term care, or other community-based services and supports necessary for the implementation of the patient's discharge plan.

A copy of the discharge plan and any instructions or information provided to the designated individual shall be included in the patient's medical record.

F. The hospital shall provide each individual designated pursuant to subsection A or D of this section the opportunity for a demonstration of specific follow-up care tasks that the designated individual will provide to the patient in accordance with the patient's discharge plan prior to the patient's discharge, including opportunity for the designated individual to ask questions regarding the performance of follow-up care tasks. Such opportunity shall be provided in a culturally competent manner and in the designated individual's native language.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 32, Issue 14, eff. April 8, 2016.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-127 of the Code of Virginia.