Tuesday, legislation was heard in the Judiciary Committee to encourage patients and their loved ones to have a conversation about hospital aftercare before it becomes a pressing issue upon discharge. This bill encourages individuals to designate an aftercare caregiver for patients when they are admitted to a hospital. The designated caregiver would be responsible for providing the care a patient needs after their hospital stay. Hospitals would also provide the designated caregiver training on aftercare needs and instructions.
Many hospitals are already performing these functions, but this process will more formally document a caregiver in the patient’s medical record. If a designated caregiver is selected, it is more likely that the caregiver and the patient will be able to better prepare for the healing process after the hospital, and this vulnerable population is less likely to be neglected or forgotten once they are home.
The bill passed out of the Judiciary Committee and onto the floor. (S.F. 107)
