Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 50 - PUBLIC HEALTH-MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
Part VII - Long Term Care
Subpart 3 - Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
Chapter 309 - Transfers and Discharges
Section VII-30903 - Facility Responsibilities for Planned or Voluntary Transfer or Discharge Policies

A. Facility record shall document that the client was transferred or discharged for good cause which means for any reason that is in the best interest of the individual.

B. Any decision to move a client shall be part of an interdisciplinary team process. The client, family, legal representative, and advocate, if there is one, shall participate in the decision making process.

C. Planning for a client's discharge or transfer shall allow for at least 30 days to prepare the client and parents/guardian for the change except in emergencies.

D. Planning for release of a client shall include providing for appropriate services in the client's new environment, including protective supervision and other follow-up services which are detailed in his discharge plan.

E. The client and/or legal representative must give their written consent to all nonemergency situations. Notification shall be made to the parents or guardians as soon as possible.

F. Both the discharging and receiving facilities shall share responsibility for ensuring the interchange of medical and other programmatic information which shall include:

G. Representatives from the staff of both the sending and receiving facilities shall confer as often as necessary to share appropriate information regarding all aspects of the client's care and habilitation training. The transferring facility is responsible for developing a final summary of the client's developmental, behavioral, social, health, and nutritional status, and with the consent of the client and/or legal guardian, providing a copy to authorized persons and agencies.

H. The facility shall establish procedures for counseling clients or legal representatives, concerning the advantages and disadvantages of the possible release. This counseling shall include information regarding after care services available through agency and community resources.

I. All clients being transferred or discharged shall be given appropriate information about the new living arrangement. Counseling shall be provided if they are not in agreement. (See "Involuntary Transfers" if client is being transferred against his will).

J. The basic policy of client's right to the most appropriate placement which will meet his needs shall govern all transfer/discharge planning. Clients are not to be maintained in inappropriate placements or replacements in which their needs cannot adequately be met.