CARE Act moves out of committee, heading to Del. senate floor

A Delaware bill that aims to better coordinate care after a patient has been discharged from the hospital has made it out of the Health and Social Services committee and is headed to the Senate floor.

Senate Bill 52, also known as the CARE Act, would provide a framework for caregivers after a patient is discharged.

According to bill sponsor District 10 Senator Bethany Hall-Long, the hospital would train caregivers in proper aftercare like cleaning wounds and administering special diets, for example.

Senator Hall-Long, a nurse herself, says without proper care, missteps could drag out recovery time. In some cases, it could even require readmission.

“On occasion when it’s a change of shifts or an overcrowded ER and people are waiting for beds, certainly someone could slip out the door and miss their caregiver getting educated,” she tells 47ABC.

According to Senator Hall-Long, the act also means hospitals will make a note when a patient does not have a designated caregiver.

We’re told now that the bill has moved out of committee, it could reach the Senate floor in June.