Terms Used In Iowa Code 144F.3

  • Discharge: means the exit or release of a patient from inpatient care in a hospital to the residence of the patient. See Iowa Code 144F.1
  • Hospital: means a licensed hospital as defined in section 135B. See Iowa Code 144F.1
  • Lay caregiver: means an individual, eighteen years of age or older, who is designated as a lay caregiver under this chapter by a patient or the patient's legal representative, and who is willing and able to perform aftercare assistance for the patient at the patient's residence following discharge. See Iowa Code 144F.1
  • Patient: means an individual who is receiving or who has received inpatient medical care in a hospital. See Iowa Code 144F.1
 If a lay caregiver is designated under section 144F.2, the hospital shall, in accordance with the hospital’s established policies and procedures, attempt to notify the lay caregiver of the discharge of the patient as soon as practicable.