HI SB2397

Requires all Hawaii hospitals to adopt written discharge policies that allow patients to designate a caregiver to be notified prior to discharge and included in the patient's electronic health record.

Mandates that patients and designated caregivers receive the opportunity to participate in discharge planning and receive instruction on after-care needs prior to discharge.

Specifies that hospitals must document the designated caregiver's identity and contact information, and make reasonable attempts to notify the caregiver of the patient's discharge to their residence.

Protects hospitals from liability for services rendered or not rendered by caregivers at the patient's residence and preserves third-party payer coverage obligations for healthcare items and services.

Takes effect July 1, 2017.