(a)  Any person receiving respite care services shall be permitted to bring medications to the skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility if the contents have been examined and positively identified upon the patient’s admission to the facility by the patient’s personal physician and surgeon or a pharmacist retained by the facility.

(b)  A skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility providing respite care services shall not be required to afford a person receiving respite care services a bedhold when the person is transferred to a general acute care hospital, as defined in Section 1250.

(c)  A skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility providing respite care services shall permit the personal physician and surgeon of a person receiving respite care services to issue advance orders for care and treatment for a period not to exceed 90 days from the date of admission of the person, based on the person’s medical history, diagnosis, and physical assessment conducted upon admission. The skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility may readmit the person for respite care services on the basis of the advance orders for care and treatment, unless the personal physician and surgeon of the person indicates that there has been a significant change in the person’s medical condition. These advance orders shall only be used by the skilled nursing or intermediate care facility during periods in which the person is receiving respite care services.

(d)  A skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility providing respite care services may implement an abbreviated resident assessment and care planning procedure for persons admitted for respite care services consistent with the facility’s obligation to protect the health and safety of residents and the general public. The abbreviated resident assessment and care planning procedure shall address the necessary care services required by the person admitted for respite care during the length of the respite care stay. The abbreviated resident assessment and care planning procedure documents do not have to be updated with every readmission of the same person to the facility for respite care services, unless the personal physician and surgeon of the person indicates that there has been a significant change in the person’s medical condition.

(e)  As used in this section, “respite care services” means service provided to frail elderly or functionally impaired persons in a licensed skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility, as defined in Section 1250, on a temporary or periodic basis to relieve persons who are providing their care at home.

(f)  As used in this section, “temporary or periodic” means a period of time not to exceed 15 consecutive days or a total of 45 days in any one year.

(g)  No more than 10 percent of a skilled nursing or intermediate care facility’s total licensed bed capacity may be used during any one calendar year for the provision of respite care services as defined in this section. A facility may exceed this limit with the prior written approval of the State Department of Health Services.

(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1329, Sec. 4. Effective September 26, 1990.)