Wash. Rev. Code § 70.41.310

Long-term care — Program information to be provided to hospitals — Information on options to be provided to patients

The Department of Social and Health Services shall promote the use of long-term care services by distributing information about chronic long-term care programs that the Department directly or contractually administers.  At a minimum, the information shall identify each long-term service in the state and criteria for admission.  The Department shall also provide a resource manual that identifies the long-term services that operate within each hospital, the name, address, and telephone number of these entities, a brief description of the services, and who may be contacted for further information.  The Department shall periodically update this information. 

A hospital shall inform patients and their families about long-term care availability and admission to the extent that continuing care is needed.  The hospital shall also provide the patient, family members, or legal representatives with a copy of the long-term care service resource manual.  Lastly, the hospital shall answer questions about long-term care, assist in contacting the appropriate entities, and link the patient to the state-designated aging and long-term care network.