Requirements for Discharge Planning Policy and Process – Cal. Health & Safety Code §1262.5

All hospitals are required to have a written discharge policy and process.  The law requires hospitals to make arrangements for post-hospital care prior to discharge for patients being transferred to other health care entities, such as a hospice or nursing facility.  Further, the law requires that the hospital inform the patient, written or orally of his or her continuing health care requirements after discharge.  The hospital is also required to provide the patient or his/her representative with a copy of the transfer summary, or the hospital must ensure the transfer summary is transmitted to the patient’s post-hospital care entity.  The hospital must also give the patient information regarding his or her medication.  Hospitals are also required to provide patients who may need long term care with the contact information of at least one organization that provides community based long term care.