Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section:
(b) "Aftercare" means any assistance provided to a patient in the patient's residence by a caregiver designated by the patient in accordance with this section after the patient's discharge from a hospital. Assistance may include, but is not limited to, assisting with basic activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), or carrying out medical or nursing tasks, such as managing wound care, assisting in administering medications, and operating medical equipment.
(c) "Agent" means a court-appointed guardian, the parent of a minor child whose authority to act on behalf of the patient as to health care decisions has not been restricted by the court, or a health agent authorized to act on behalf of the patient under chapter 145C.
(d) "Designated caregiver" means any individual 18 years of age or older who is designated as a caregiver by a patient to provide aftercare assistance to the patient in the patient's residence after the patient's discharge from a hospital and who, in the professional opinion of the patient's health care provider, is capable of providing aftercare assistance. A designated caregiver may include, but is not limited to, a relative, partner, friend, or neighbor who has a relationship with the patient.
(e) "Discharge" means a patient's exit or release from a hospital to the patient's residence following an inpatient admission.
(f) "Entry" means a patient's admission to a hospital for the purposes of inpatient medical care.
(g) "Hospital" means a facility licensed under sections 144.50 to 144.56.
(h) "Residence" means a dwelling that the patient considers to be the patient's home. For the purposes of this section, a residence does not include a rehabilitation facility, hospital, nursing facility, or other health care or residential facility where health care staff are responsible for performing necessary medical and nursing tasks for the patient.
Subd. 2. Opportunity to designate a caregiver. (a) A hospital shall provide each patient or, if applicable, the patient's agent with an opportunity to designate at least one caregiver no later than 24 hours upon the patient's entry into a hospital and before the patient is discharged from the hospital or transferred to another health care facility. If the patient is unconscious or otherwise incapacitated upon entry into the hospital, the hospital shall provide the patient or the patient's agent with an opportunity to designate a caregiver within 24 hours following the patient's recovery of consciousness or capacity.
(b) If the patient or the patient's agent designates an individual as a caregiver, the hospital shall record the patient's designation of caregiver, the relationship of the designated caregiver to the patient, and the name, telephone number, and address of the patient's designated caregiver in the patient's medical record. If the patient or the patient's agent declines to designate a caregiver, the hospital shall document this in the patient's medical record.
(c) If the patient designates a caregiver, the hospital shall be deemed to have obtained the written consent of the patient to release medical information to the designated caregiver following the hospital's established procedures for releasing personal health information and in compliance with all federal and state laws. The patient or the patient's agent may revoke prior consent to release medical information to the designated caregiver at any time and, if consent is revoked, the hospital is not required to provide notice to the designated caregiver under subdivision 3 or provide information contained in the patient's discharge plan under subdivision 4.
(d) A patient may elect to change their designated caregiver at any time, and the hospital shall record the change in the patient's medical record within 24 hours.
(e) A designation of a caregiver by a patient or a patient's agent does not obligate the designated caregiver to perform any aftercare tasks for the patient.
Subd. 3. Notice to designated caregiver. (a) A hospital shall notify, as soon as practicable, the patient's designated caregiver of the patient's discharge or transfer to another hospital or health care facility after the patient's health care provider issues a discharge or transfer order.
(b) Failure to contact a designated caregiver or failure of the designated caregiver to be present at the hospital to receive the discharge plan and aftercare instructions described in subdivision 4 shall not interfere with or delay the discharge or transfer of the patient so long as the hospital has made a good faith effort to contact the designated caregiver within a reasonable time period. The hospital shall document the efforts made to contact the designated caregiver in the patient's medical record.
(c) This subdivision shall not apply if the patient is transferred to another health care facility due to an emergency situation.
Subd. 4. Discharge plan and aftercare instructions to designated caregiver. (a) Prior to a patient's discharge from the hospital to the patient's residence, the hospital shall consult with the designated caregiver and the patient, and issue a discharge plan that describes the patient's aftercare needs and instructions for all aftercare tasks described in the discharge plan.
(b) At a minimum, a discharge plan must include:
(1) the name and contact information of the designated caregiver;
(2) a description of and instructions for all aftercare tasks necessary to maintain the patient's ability to reside at home, taking into account the capabilities and limitations of the designated caregiver;
(3) contact information for any health care, community resources, and long-term services and supports necessary to successfully carry out the patient's discharge plan; and
(4) contact information of a hospital representative who can respond to questions about the discharge plan and instructions that are required to be provided under this subdivision after the patient has been discharged.
(c) At a minimum, the instructions for aftercare tasks included in the discharge plan must include:
(1) a live demonstration or video instruction of the aftercare tasks performed by a hospital employee, or an individual with whom the hospital has a contractual relationship who has the appropriate education and competency in the task to be performed and is authorized to perform the task, in a culturally competent manner and in accordance with the hospital's requirements to provide language access services under state and federal law; and
(2) an opportunity for the designated caregiver and patient to ask questions about the aftercare tasks, and to provide answers to any questions in a culturally competent manner and in accordance with the hospital's requirements to provide language access services under state and federal law.
(d) The hospital shall document the discharge plan and a description of the instructions provided in the patient's medical record, including, at a minimum, the date, time, and content of the instructions provided.
Subd. 5. Limitations. (a) Nothing in this section shall be construed to create a separate private cause of action against a hospital, a hospital employee, or an individual with whom a hospital has a contractual relationship, or to otherwise supersede or replace existing duties, rights, or remedies under any other provision of state or federal law. This section does not establish a separate standard of care for use in an action against a hospital, health care facility, or health care provider.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a patient or a patient's agent to designate a caregiver.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to interfere with the powers of a health care agent operating under a valid health care directive in compliance with chapter 145C.
2016 c 103 s 1
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapter 144 — Department Of Health
Section 144.011 — Department Of Health.
Section 144.05 — General Duties Of Commissioner; Reports.
Section 144.0505 — Cooperation With Commissioner Of Human Services.
Section 144.051 — Data Relating To Licensed And Registered Persons.
Section 144.052 — Use Of Data.
Section 144.0525 — Epidemiologic Studies; Health Hazards; Health Surveillance.
Section 144.053 — Research Studies Confidential.
Section 144.0535 — Entry For Inspection.
Section 144.054 — Subpoena Power.
Section 144.055 — Home Safety Programs.
Section 144.056 — Plain Language In Written Materials.
Section 144.057 — Background Studies On Licensees And Other Personnel.
Section 144.058 — Interpreter Services Quality Initiative.
Section 144.059 — Palliative Care Advisory Council.
Section 144.06 — State Commissioner Of Health To Provide Instruction.
Section 144.061 — Early Dental Prevention Initiative.
Section 144.062 — Vaccine Cost Reduction Program.
Section 144.064 — The Vivian Act.
Section 144.065 — Prevention And Treatment Of Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Section 144.07 — Powers Of Commissioner.
Section 144.0721 — Assessments Of Care And Services To Nursing Home Residents.
Section 144.0724 — Resident Reimbursement Classification.
Section 144.074 — Funds Received From Other Sources.
Section 144.0742 — Contracts For Provision Of Public Health Services.
Section 144.0751 — Health Standards.
Section 144.077 — Mobile Health Care Providers.
Section 144.09 — Cooperation With Federal Authorities.
Section 144.092 — Coordinated Nutrition Data Collection.
Section 144.10 — Federal Aid For Maternal And Child Welfare Services.
Section 144.111 — Rules, Notice Published.
Section 144.12 — Regulation, Enforcement, Licenses, Fees.
Section 144.1201 — Definitions.
Section 144.1202 — United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Agreement.
Section 144.1203 — Training; Rulemaking.
Section 144.1204 — Surety Requirements.
Section 144.1205 — Radioactive Material; Special Nuclear Material.
Section 144.121 — X-ray Machines; Other Sources Of Ionizing Radiation.
Section 144.1212 — Notice To Patient; Mammogram Results.
Section 144.1215 — Authorization To Use Handheld Dental X-ray Equipment.
Section 144.122 — License, Permit, And Survey Fees.
Section 144.1222 — Public Pools; Enclosed Sports Arenas.
Section 144.1225 — Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Services.
Section 144.123 — Fees For Diagnostic Laboratory Services; Exceptions.
Section 144.125 — Tests Of Infants For Heritable And Congenital Disorders.
Section 144.1251 — Newborn Screening For Critical Congenital Heart Disease (cchd).
Section 144.1255 — Heritable And Congenital Disorders.
Section 144.128 — Commissioner's Duties.
Section 144.14 — Quarantine Of Interstate Carriers.
Section 144.145 — Fluoridation Of Municipal Water Supplies.
Section 144.1461 — Dignity In Pregnancy And Childbirth.
Section 144.1464 — Summer Health Care Interns.
Section 144.1465 — Finding And Purpose.
Section 144.147 — Rural Hospital Planning And Transition Grant Program.
Section 144.1476 — Rural Pharmacy Planning And Transition Grant Program.
Section 144.148 — Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant Program.
Section 144.1481 — Rural Health Advisory Committee.
Section 144.1482 — Office Of Rural Health.
Section 144.1483 — Rural Health Initiatives.
Section 144.1485 — Database On Health Personnel.
Section 144.1492 — State Rural Health Network Reform Initiative.
Section 144.1493 — Nursing Grant Program.
Section 144.1501 — Health Professional Education Loan Forgiveness Program.
Section 144.1505 — Health Professionals Clinical Training Expansion Grant Program.
Section 144.1506 — Primary Care Residency Expansion Grant Program.
Section 144.1911 — International Medical Graduates Assistance Program.
Section 144.1912 — Greater Minnesota Family Medicine Residency Grant Program.
Section 144.193 — Inventory Of Biological And Health Data.
Section 144.212 — Definitions.
Section 144.213 — Office Of Vital Records.
Section 144.2131 — Security Of Vital Records System.
Section 144.215 — Birth Registration.
Section 144.2151 — Record Of Birth Resulting In Stillbirth.
Section 144.216 — Foundling Registration.
Section 144.217 — Delayed Records Of Birth.
Section 144.218 — Replacement Birth Records.
Section 144.2181 — Amendment And Correction Of Vital Records.
Section 144.221 — Death Registration.
Section 144.2215 — Minnesota Birth Defects Information System.
Section 144.2216 — Birth Defects Records And Reports Required.
Section 144.2217 — Classification Of Birth Defects Information.
Section 144.2218 — Transfers Of Information To Other Government Agencies.
Section 144.2219 — Transfers Of Information To Research Entities.
Section 144.222 — Reports Of Fetal Or Infant Death.
Section 144.223 — Report Of Marriage.
Section 144.225 — Disclosure Of Information From Vital Records.
Section 144.2252 — Access To Original Birth Record After Adoption.
Section 144.2255 — Certified Birth Record For Homeless Youth.
Section 144.29 — Health Records; Children Of School Age.
Section 144.291 — Minnesota Health Records Act.
Section 144.292 — Patient Rights.
Section 144.293 — Release Or Disclosure Of Health Records.
Section 144.294 — Records Relating To Mental Health.
Section 144.295 — Disclosure Of Health Records For External Research.
Section 144.296 — Copies Of Videotapes.
Section 144.297 — Independent Medical Examination.
Section 144.30 — Copies Of Records Evidence In Juvenile Court.
Section 144.32 — False Statements Cause For Discharge.
Section 144.334 — Right To Request Patient Information.
Section 144.3345 — Interconnected Electronic Health Record Grants.
Section 144.3351 — Immunization Data.
Section 144.3352 — Hepatitis B Maternal Carrier Data; Infant Immunization.
Section 144.336 — Registry Of Persons Typed For Human Leukocyte Antigens.
Section 144.34 — Investigation And Control Of Occupational Diseases.
Section 144.341 — Living Apart From Parents And Managing Financial Affairs.
Section 144.342 — Marriage Or Giving Birth, Consent For Health Service For Self Or Child.
Section 144.343 — Pregnancy, Venereal Disease, Alcohol Or Drug Abuse, Abortion.
Section 144.344 — Emergency Treatment.
Section 144.3441 — Hepatitis B Vaccination.
Section 144.345 — Representations To Persons Rendering Service.
Section 144.346 — Information To Parents.
Section 144.347 — Financial Responsibility.
Section 144.35 — Pollution Of Water.
Section 144.36 — Appeal To District Court.
Section 144.37 — Other Remedies Preserved.
Section 144.382 — Definitions.
Section 144.383 — Authority Of Commissioner.
Section 144.384 — Notice Of Violation.
Section 144.385 — Public Notice.
Section 144.3855 — Limitation.
Section 144.3872 — Female Genital Mutilation; Education And Outreach.
Section 144.391 — Public Policy.
Section 144.392 — Duties Of Commissioner.
Section 144.393 — Public Communications Program.
Section 144.394 — Health Promotion And Education.
Section 144.396 — Tobacco Use Prevention.
Section 144.397 — Statewide Tobacco Cessation Services.
Section 144.412 — Public Policy.
Section 144.413 — Definitions.
Section 144.414 — Prohibitions.
Section 144.416 — Responsibilities Of Proprietors.
Section 144.4165 — Tobacco Products Prohibited In Public Schools.
Section 144.4167 — Permitted Smoking.
Section 144.417 — Commissioner Of Health, Enforcement, Penalties.
Section 144.4172 — Definitions.
Section 144.4173 — Cause Of Action.
Section 144.4176 — Petition; Notice.
Section 144.4177 — Time Of Hearing And Duties Of Counsel.
Section 144.4178 — Criminal Immunity.
Section 144.4179 — Standard Of Proof; Evidence.
Section 144.4182 — Temporary Emergency Hold.
Section 144.4183 — Emergency Hold Hearing.
Section 144.4184 — Contact Data.
Section 144.4186 — Data Privacy.
Section 144.419 — Isolation And Quarantine Of Persons.
Section 144.4195 — Due Process For Isolation Or Quarantine Of Persons.
Section 144.4196 — Employee Protection.
Section 144.4197 — Emergency Vaccine Administration; Legend Drug.
Section 144.4198 — Mass Dispensing Under Authority Of Commissioner Of Health.
Section 144.4199 — Public Health Response Contingency Account.
Section 144.441 — Tuberculosis Screening In Schools.
Section 144.442 — Testing In School Clinics.
Section 144.445 — Tuberculosis Screening In Correctional Institutions.
Section 144.4803 — Definitions.
Section 144.4804 — Reporting Relating To Tuberculosis.
Section 144.4805 — Health Order; Rights Of Carrier And Respondent.
Section 144.4806 — Preventive Measures Under Health Order.
Section 144.4807 — Notice Of Obligation To Isolate Or Examine.
Section 144.4808 — Apprehend And Hold Order.
Section 144.4809 — Preliminary Hearing.
Section 144.4810 — Final Hearing.
Section 144.4811 — Periodic Review And Release From Detention.
Section 144.4812 — Costs Of Care.
Section 144.4813 — Data Privacy.
Section 144.49 — Violations; Penalties.
Section 144.492 — Definitions.
Section 144.494 — Designating Stroke Centers And Stroke Hospitals.
Section 144.4941 — St Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (stemi) Receiving Centers.
Section 144.495 — Formaldehyde Rules.
Section 144.496 — Minnesota Radon Awareness Act.
Section 144.4961 — Minnesota Radon Licensing Act.
Section 144.497 — St Elevation Myocardial Infarction.
Section 144.50 — Hospitals, Licenses; Definitions.
Section 144.51 — License Applications.
Section 144.55 — Licenses; Issuance, Suspension And Revocation.
Section 144.5509 — Radiation Therapy Facility Construction.
Section 144.551 — Hospital Construction Moratorium.
Section 144.552 — Public Interest Review.
Section 144.553 — Alternative Approval Process.
Section 144.554 — Health Facilities Construction Plan Submittal And Fees.
Section 144.561 — Description Of Certain Medical Facilities.
Section 144.562 — Swing Bed Approval; Issuance Of License Conditions.
Section 144.563 — Nursing Services Provided In A Hospital; Prohibited Practices.
Section 144.564 — Monitoring Of Subacute Or Transitional Care Services.
Section 144.565 — Diagnostic Imaging Facilities.
Section 144.566 — Violence Against Health Care Workers.
Section 144.572 — Institutions Excepted.
Section 144.573 — Pets In Certain Institutions.
Section 144.574 — Dangers Of Shaking Infants And Young Children.
Section 144.58 — Information, Confidential.
Section 144.581 — Hospital Authorities.
Section 144.585 — Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Control Programs.
Section 144.586 — Requirements For Certain Notices And Discharge Planning.
Section 144.591 — Disclosure Of Hospital Charges.
Section 144.602 — Definitions.
Section 144.603 — Statewide Trauma System Criteria.
Section 144.604 — Trauma Triage And Transportation.
Section 144.605 — Designating Trauma Hospitals.
Section 144.606 — Interhospital Transfers.
Section 144.6062 — Comprehensive Advanced Life Support.
Section 144.6071 — Trauma Registry.
Section 144.608 — Trauma Advisory Council.
Section 144.611 — Captioning Required.
Section 144.615 — Birth Centers.
Section 144.6501 — Nursing Home Admission Contracts.
Section 144.6502 — Electronic Monitoring In Certain Facilities.
Section 144.6503 — Facilities For Alzheimer's Disease Or Related Disorder.
Section 144.6505 — Subacute Care Waivers.
Section 144.651 — Health Care Bill Of Rights.
Section 144.6512 — Retaliation In Nursing Homes Prohibited.
Section 144.652 — Bill Of Rights Notice To Patient Or Resident; Violation.
Section 144.6521 — Disclosure Of Financial Interest.
Section 144.6522 — Designation Of A Caregiver.
Section 144.653 — Rules; Periodic Inspections; Enforcement.
Section 144.6535 — Variance Or Waiver.
Section 144.654 — Experts May Be Employed.
Section 144.655 — Program For Voluntary Medical Aid.
Section 144.656 — Employees To Be Compensated.
Section 144.657 — Volunteer Efforts Encouraged.
Section 144.658 — Epidemiologic Data Discovery.
Section 144.6581 — Determination Of Whether Data Identifies Individuals.
Section 144.6585 — Identification Of Health Care Providers.
Section 144.6586 — Notice Of Rights To Sexual Assault Victim.
Section 144.661 — Definitions.
Section 144.662 — Traumatic Brain Injury And Spinal Cord Injury Registry.
Section 144.663 — Duty To Report.
Section 144.664 — Duties Of Commissioner.
Section 144.665 — Traumatic Brain Injury And Spinal Cord Injury Data.
Section 144.671 — Cancer Surveillance System; Purpose.
Section 144.672 — Duties Of Commissioner; Rules.
Section 144.68 — Records And Reports Required.
Section 144.69 — Classification Of Data On Individuals.
Section 144.691 — Grievance Procedures.
Section 144.696 — Definitions.
Section 144.697 — General Powers And Duties Of State Commissioner Of Health.
Section 144.698 — Reporting Requirements.
Section 144.699 — Continuing Analysis.
Section 144.70 — Biennial Report.
Section 144.701 — Rate Disclosure.
Section 144.702 — Hospital And Outpatient Surgical Center Costs.
Section 144.7022 — Reporting Organizations; Penalty Orders.
Section 144.703 — Additional Powers.
Section 144.7055 — Staffing Plan Reports.
Section 144.7063 — Definitions.
Section 144.7065 — Facility Requirements To Report, Analyze, And Correct.
Section 144.7067 — Commissioner Duties And Responsibilities.
Section 144.7068 — Reports From Licensing Boards.
Section 144.7069 — Interstate Coordination; Reports.
Section 144.71 — Purpose; Definitions.
Section 144.73 — State Commissioner Of Health, Duties.
Section 144.74 — Rules, Standards.
Section 144.7401 — Definitions.
Section 144.7402 — Conditions For Applicability Of Procedures.
Section 144.7403 — Information Required To Be Given To Individuals.
Section 144.7404 — Disclosure Of Positive Blood-borne Pathogen Test Results.
Section 144.7405 — Consent Procedures Generally.
Section 144.7406 — Testing Of Available Blood.
Section 144.7407 — Blood Sample Collection For Testing.
Section 144.7408 — No Discrimination.
Section 144.7409 — Use Of Test Results.
Section 144.7411 — Test Information Confidentiality.
Section 144.7412 — Penalty For Unauthorized Release Of Information.
Section 144.7413 — Responsibility For Testing And Treatment; Costs.
Section 144.7414 — Protocols For Exposure To Blood-borne Pathogens.
Section 144.7415 — Penalties And Immunity.
Section 144.84 — Civil Service Classification.
Section 144.91 — Powers And Duties.
Section 144.92 — Grants Or Gifts.
Section 144.945 — Zika Preparedness And Response.
Section 144.95 — Mosquito Research Program.
Section 144.9501 — Definitions.
Section 144.9502 — Statewide Lead Surveillance System.
Section 144.9503 — Primary Prevention.
Section 144.9504 — Secondary Prevention.
Section 144.9505 — Credentialing Of Lead Firms And Professionals.
Section 144.9507 — Lead-related Funding.
Section 144.9509 — Enforcement.
Section 144.9512 — Lead Abatement Program.
Section 144.9513 — Healthy Housing Grants.
Section 144.966 — Early Hearing Detection And Intervention Program.
Section 144.98 — Accreditation Of Environmental Laboratories.
Section 144.989 — Title; Citation.
Section 144.991 — Administrative Penalty Order Procedure.
Section 144.992 — False Information.
Section 144.993 — Recovery Of Litigation Costs And Expenses.
Section 144.995 — Definitions; Environmental Health Tracking And Biomonitoring.
Section 144.996 — Environmental Health Tracking; Biomonitoring.
Section 144.997 — Biomonitoring Pilot Program.
Section 144.998 — Environmental Health Tracking And Biomonitoring Advisory Panel.