(A) In the case of a patient who is at least fifty-five years of age and not unconscious or otherwise incapacitated at the time of admission, a hospital shall offer the patient or the patient’s guardian an opportunity to designate a lay caregiver for the patient. The offer shall be made after the patient’s admission and before the patient’s discharge.

Terms Used In Ohio Code 3727.71

  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Hospital: means an institution classified as a hospital under section 3701. See Ohio Code 3727.01

(B) In the case of a patient who is at least fifty-five years of age and unconscious or otherwise incapacitated at the time of admission, a hospital shall offer the patient or the patient’s guardian an opportunity to designate a lay caregiver for the patient. The offer shall be made after the patient regains consciousness or capacity and before the patient’s discharge.