§ 18-20-530

(a) A hospital shall adopt and maintain written discharge policies. The policies must comply with AS 18.20.500 - 18.20.590. (b) The discharge policies of a hospital must specify the requirements for documenting the identity of a patient's designated caregiver and the details of the discharge plan for the patient, including professional follow-up as specified in the discharge plan. (c) The discharge policies of a hospital may incorporate established evidence-based practices that include (1) standards for accreditation adopted by a nationally recognized hospital accreditation organization; or (2) the conditions of participation for hospitals adopted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (d) The discharge policies of a hospital must ensure that the discharge planning is appropriate to the condition of the patient, and the hospital shall interpret the discharge policies in a manner and as necessary to meet the needs and condition of the patient and the abilities of the patient's designated caregiver. (e) AS 18.20.500 - 18.20.590 do not require that a hospital adopt discharge policies that would (1) delay a patient's discharge or transfer to another facility; or (2)

patient's designated caregiver. (e) AS 18.20.500 - 18.20.590 do not require that a hospital adopt discharge policies that would (1) delay a patient's discharge or transfer to another facility; or (2) require the disclosure of protected health information without obtaining a patient's consent as required by state and federal laws governing health information privacy and security.