Wash. Rev. Code § 70.41.320

Long term care -- patient discharge requirements for hospitals and acute care facilities -- pilot projects. 

Hospitals and acute care facilities must:

•         Work with the department of social and health services and agencies dealing with aging and long-term care assistance to plan for the discharging of patients to long-term care.
•         Establish a discharge planning service.
•         Cooperate with the department of health in relation to long-term care services for Medicaid beneficiaries.
•         Create policies and procedures that will:  

                (1) identify patients that need nursing, therapy, or support post-discharge;

                (2) create a discharge plan for an identified patient that contains their history, care requirements, and a timeline for providing follow up care;

                (3) coordinate with patient, family, and members of the health care team;

                 (4) provide patients with written information regarding available long-term services regardless of their income status;

                (5) promote an informed choice of long-term care services;

                (6) coordinate the discharge with the department of health and case management agencies.