SB238 Summary

• Requires hospitals to provide patients or legal guardians an opportunity to designate at least one caregiver within 24 hours of hospital entry and prior to discharge.

• Mandates hospitals notify designated caregivers of patient discharge or transfer to another facility and consult with caregivers regarding their capabilities and limitations before discharge.

• Requires hospitals to issue a discharge plan that includes caregiver contact information, descriptions of necessary aftercare tasks, and contact information for healthcare providers or community resources.

• Requires hospitals to provide caregivers with instruction in aftercare tasks including live demonstrations by authorized hospital employees and opportunities to ask questions, with all instruction documented in the patient's medical record.

• Authorizes the Alabama Department of Public Health to promulgate rules for implementation and clarifies the act does not interfere with advance directive rights that were operative prior to hospital entry.