Discharge Planning Coordinator and Staff

(A) The hospital administrator in conjunction with the nursing and Case Management department and other hospital departments as appropriate shall designate a specific individual or unit to be responsible for coordination of discharge planning. (B) If an individual, the coordinator for discharge planning shall be a licensed professional approved by the hospital. The individual shall have competence to carry out discharge planning responsibilities based on education, experience, and knowledge of community resources. (C) Whenever a specific discharge planning unit is designated, there shall be at least a licensed professional approved by the hospital assigned to the unit to assess patient needs and to plan together for continuity of patient care. Accountability for all aspects of the service of the unit shall be clearly delineated in the hospital’s organizational and administrative documents. (D) The hospital shall retain sufficient staff to provide discharge planning services to all patients requiring such services. (E) A discharge planning coordinator shall be a member of the Utilization Review Committee. (F) There shall be an effective mechanism in place that establishes timely communication between discharge planning staff and the utilization review coordinator.