1. (1) The licensee shall give a patient admitted to the hospital the opportunity to designate a caregiver to assist the patient with continuing care after discharge from the hospital.

   1. (a) The licensee shall document the designated caregiver in the patient record and include contact information.
   2. (b) If the patient declines to designate a caregiver, the licensee shall document the patient's choice in the medical record.

2. (2) The licensee shall notify the designated caregiver as soon as practicable before:

   1. (a) the patient is discharged back to the patient's own residence; or
   2. (b) the patient is transferred to another health facility.
3. (3) The licensee shall document each date and time of any attempt to contact the designated caregiver in the patient record.
4. (4) If the licensee cannot contact the designated caregiver when changes occur, the lack of contact may not interfere with, delay, or otherwise affect the medical care provided to the patient or the transfer or discharge of the patient.
5. (5) The patient may give written consent to allow the licensee to release medical information to the designated caregiver, pursuant to the hospital's established procedures for the release of personal health information.

6. (6) Before the patient is discharged, the licensee shall provide a written discharge plan for continuing care needs to the patient and designated caregiver, that shall include:

   1. (a) a description of continuing care tasks that the patient requires, in a culturally competent manner;
   2. (b) contact information for any other health care resources necessary to meet the patient's needs; and
   3. (c) the name and contact information of the designated caregiver and relation to the patient.

7. (7) Before the patient is discharged, the licensee shall provide the designated caregiver with an opportunity for instruction in continuing care tasks outlined in the discharge plan, that shall include:

   1. (a) demonstration of the continuing care tasks by hospital personnel;
   2. (b) education and counseling about medications, including dosing and proper use of delivery devices; and
   3. (c) opportunity for the patient and designated caregiver to ask questions and receive answers regarding the continuing care tasks.
8. (8) The licensee shall document the instruction given to the patient and designated caregiver in the patient record, to include the date, time, and contents of the instructions.

KEY: health care facilities

Date of Last Change: June 5, 2026

Notice of Continuation: August 22, 2025

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 26B-1-202; 26B-2-202; 26B-2-203