Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 49, December 7, 2024
Section 105.22 - Discharge planning(a) Discharge planning shall be an integral part of the hospitalization of each patient and shall commence as soon as possible after admission. When the hospital determines no discharge planning is necessary in a particular case, that conclusion shall be noted on the medical record of the patient.(b) The hospital shall have written policies governing discharge planning. These shall include but need not be limited to the following:(1) Appropriate referral and transfer plans.(2) Methods to facilitate the provision of follow-up care.(3) Information to be given to the patient or his family or other persons involved in caring for the patient on matters such as the patient's condition; his health care needs; the amount of activity he should engage in; any necessary medical regimens including drugs, diet, or other forms of therapy; sources of additional help from other agencies; and procedures to follow in case of complications. This information should be provided by the attending physician.(4) Procedures for assisting the patient and his family in gaining information regarding financial assistance in paying bills incurred as a result of the hospitalization. The procedures shall specify how the patient is to be informed where relevant information can be obtained, how relevant hospital information is to be made available in a timely and useful manner, and how the hospital will affirmatively inquire into the eligibility of the patient for assistance from the various Federal and State government programs, for example, Medicare, Medicaid, Hill-Burton.