Yesterday afternoon, Governor Christie signed A2955, called the CARE Act. http://legiscan.com/NJ/bill/A2955/2014
The bill requires hospitals to ask patients to identify their intended post-discharge caregiver, and obligates the hospitals to provide information and instruction to the caregiver no later than 24 hours prior to discharge concerning the components of the discharge care plan and the tasks that must be performed for the patient after discharge to take care of the patient’s medical and nursing needs at home.
Here’s the final bill: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2014/Bills/A3000/2955_R1.HTM
When a patient goes into the hospital, coordination of care is a complex task involving the medical/nursing team, the patient and the authorized family or other individuals. Patients can sign health care proxies to designate decision – makers (in the event the patient becomes incapacitated), advance directives (concerning wishes for use or non-use of life-saving treatment when the patient is at late or advanced stages of debilitating illness), POLST instructions (concerning the patient’s goals for the treatment), and now, designation of the person who will coordinate the care upon discharge. It’s vital that the patient have someone there for them to advocate for the patient throughout the hospitalization process and to help the patient understand both their rights and their medical issues. The CARE Act should go along way to protecting the interests of patients in the frenzied environment of the hospital discharge process.
If an elderly patient is discharged from the hospital and their caregiver has been given full information about the patient’s medical and nursing needs, there is a greater likelihood that the home care plan will be effective. Communication among all members of the team is so crucial.
For legal advice on coordinating discharge and assembling your team for aging in palace, call 732-382-6070