Successfully transitioning patients from hospitals to their homes or other care settings is a key part of quality care. IHA advocates for discharge planning policies that best serve patients.
Hospitals must provide each patient or the patient’s legal representative with an opportunity to designate a caregiver following the patient’s admission as an inpatient and prior to discharge.
Hospitals must notify the designated care coordination unit at least 24 hours before a patient is discharged to a skilled nursing facility so the unit can perform the Choices for Care assessment.
A decision tree shows the steps that can occur after hospitals request a prescreening at least 24 hours before discharge.
See presentation slides on "Choices for Care Policy & CCU Collaboration with Hospital Discharge Planners" from the Department on Aging and Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
Hospital care coordination units must provide a copy of a patient's assessment for skilled nursing services direclty to the receiving facility before the patient is discharged.
The CARE Act requires hospitals to offer inpatients the opportunity to designate a family member or friend as a caregiver who will provide aftercare in the patient’s home after discharge.
Illinois hospitals are major economic engines, providing jobs, healthcare, charity care and support services. IHA supports this work through advocacy and financial policy analysis and development.