31-36B-4. Hospital notification to lay caregiver; education and training on aftercare.

If a patient or a person authorized to consent to medical treatment, in accordance with Code Section 31-9-2, has identified a lay caregiver under this chapter, a hospital shall notify the lay caregiver of the patient’s discharge to the patient’s residence, discharge to a post-acute healthcare facility, or transfer to another hospital as soon as practicable. If the hospital is unable to contact the lay caregiver, the lack of contact shall not interfere with, delay, or otherwise affect the medical care provided to the patient or an appropriate discharge of the patient.#

As soon as practicable prior to the discharge of the patient, the hospital shall actively engage the patient and the identified lay caregiver in discharge planning tailored to the patient’s individual aftercare needs in order to provide the patient and the lay caregiver the necessary education and training regarding the aftercare needs of the patient.#