AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO HOSPITAL DISCHARGE PLANS FOR PREGNANT PATIENTS.

Required discharge plans for pregnant hospital patients

Delaware hospitals must make discharge plans for patients identified as pregnant who show signs of labor, including possible contractions. This applies after inpatient or observation stays when the treating clinician's documented judgment is that discharge is expected before delivery. The plan must explain the medical reason for discharge and give aftercare instructions, noting that those instructions were explained. It must assess travel time and distance to the patient's main home, confirm reliable transportation, and name a backup labor-and-delivery facility. Before discharge, the hospital must discuss the plan with the patient, their authorized representative, or their designated caregiver. The hospital must add the plan to the medical record and promptly document any refusal by the patient or representative to participate.