House Bill (HB) 2116 (merged with Senate Bill 710) known as the “Compassionate Care Visitation Act” and “No Patient Left Alone Act” became law on August 28, 2022. This legislation requires a health care facility (HCF) defined as a hospital, hospice, or long-term care facility to allow a resident, patient, or guardian of such, to permit in-person contact with a compassionate care visitor during visiting hours. A compassionate care visitor may be the patient’s or resident’s friend, family member, or other person requested by the patient or resident. The compassionate care visitation is a visit necessary to meet the physical or mental needs of the patient or resident, including end-of-life care, assistance with hearing and speaking, emotional support, assistance with eating or drinking, or social support. Section 191.1400, RSMo, outlines the provisions for the Compassionate Care Visitation Act.
As a result of this legislation and by January 1, 2023, the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is required to develop informational material for patients, residents, and their legal guardians regarding the provisions of the Compassionate Care Visitation Act. HCF’s are required by statute to make this informational material accessible upon admission or registration and on the primary website of a HCF.
Compassionate Care Visitation Guidance – This handout developed by the DHSS is to be used by a HCF to meet the required informational material requirement. The handout is posted to the following webpages:
- DHSS Hospital Regulation: https://health.mo.gov/safety/healthservregs/appsforms.php
- DHSS Hospice: https://health.mo.gov/safety/hospice/index.php
- DHSS-Section for Long-Term Care Regulation:
- https://health.mo.gov/seniors/nursinghomes/providerinfo.php
- https://health.mo.gov/seniors/nursinghomes/appsforms.php (Under “Other Long Term Care Resources”)
You can review the Compassionate Care Visitation Act statute 191.1400, RSMo, in its entirety at https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=191.1400&bid=51115&hl.