(TRENTON) – Assembly approved legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Speaker Vincent Prieto, Joseph Lagana, Bob Andrzejczak, Daniel Benson and Vincent Mazzeo to help boost the quality of care delivered to patients at home after they leave the hospital was advanced Monday by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.
“The follow-up care required after a hospital stay can be incredibly complicated and overwhelming for the average person,” said Prieto (D-Bergen/Hudson). “By having hospitals work cooperatively with a patient’s preferred caregiver, we can ensure that they’re getting the level of care they need from the person they feel most comfortable with.”
The bill (A-2955) would allow hospital patients to declare a caregiver to receive instructions for post-hospital care.
Under the bill, the attending physician would consult with the caregiver and issue a discharge plan on after-care needs, including a description of after-care assistance needed to maintain the patient’s ability to reside at home and contact information for health care resources.
The hospital would notify the caregiver of the patient’s discharge or transfer to another facility not less than four hours before.
“Many times, the sensitive nature of a person’s illness makes them inclined to want treatment from somebody they are familiar and comfortable with,” said Lagana (D-Bergen/Passaic). “This bill would help by requiring hospitals to work with the caregiver to prepare them.”
“Follow-up care after a hospital stay can often be long and intense,” said Andrzejczak (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland). “This measure will help ensure that patients are getting the care they need from somebody they know and trust.”
“Many family members or friends, no matter how well-intentioned, are not trained to provide the necessary level of medical care needed after many types of hospital stays,” said Benson (D-Mercer/Middlesex). “This bill will ensure that they’re properly trained while also creating a solid support network to provide consistent follow-up care.”
“Patients receiving at home care must be comfortable with their caregivers,” said Mazzeo (D- Atlantic). “This legislation ensures that whomever they choose as a caregiver will be given the proper training and support to do the job.”
The measure was approved 73-0-3 by the Assembly in May.
