NC S322

Requires hospitals to provide patients or their legal guardians with at least one opportunity to designate a caregiver within 24 hours of hospital entry and before discharge.

Hospitals must obtain written consent to release medical information to the designated caregiver in compliance with state and federal privacy laws.

Hospitals must record the designated caregiver's name, relationship to patient, and contact information in the patient's medical record.

Hospitals must notify the designated caregiver of the patient's discharge or transfer no later than four hours before it occurs.

Hospitals must consult with the designated caregiver and issue a discharge plan no later than 24 hours before discharge, including live demonstrations and instruction in after-care tasks needed at the patient's residence.