Rule 111-8-40-.20 - Discharge Planning and Transfers for InpatientsThe hospital shall utilize an effective and on-going discharge planning process that identifies post-hospital needs of inpatients and arranges for appropriate resource referral and follow-up care.
(a) On admission, the nursing assessment shall identify patients who are likely to suffer adverse consequences upon discharge in the absence of adequate discharge planning.(b) For those patients identified as needing a discharge plan, designated qualified staff shall complete an evaluation of post-hospital needs and shall develop a plan for meeting those needs. The discharge plan shall be revised as needed with changes in the patient's condition.(c) The hospital shall provide education to patients, and their family members or interested persons as necessary or as requested by the patient, to prepare them for the patient's post-hospital care.(d) The hospital shall arrange for the initial implementation of any discharge plan, including, as applicable, any transfer or referral of the patient to appropriate facilities, agencies, or outpatient services for follow-up or ancillary care. The hospital shall be responsible for the transfer of any necessary medical information to other facilities for the purpose of post-hospital care.(e) The hospital shall regularly reassess the discharge planning process to ensure that it is responsive to patients' discharge needs.(f) The hospital shall adopt and enforce a policy requiring annually during influenza season (inclusive of at least October 1st through March 1st) and prior to discharge, any inpatient 65 years of age or older shall be offered vaccinations for the influenza virus and pneumococcal disease unless contraindicated and contingent on availability. 1. The hospital policy may authorize such vaccinations to be administered per hospital medical staff approved standing order and protocol following an assessment for contraindications.2. The hospital policy must also require the inpatient's medical record, where such vaccination is administered, to contain an assessment for contraindications, the date of such administration and patient response.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-40-.20
O.C.G.A. § 31-7-2.1.
Original Rule entitled "Discharge Planning and Transfers for Inpatients" adopted. F. Feb. 20, 2013; eff. Mar. 12, 2013.