Health facilities: marking patient devices.

Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of health facilities, including long-term health care facilities, by the State Department of Public Health. Violation of these provisions constitutes a misdemeanor. Existing law also requires long-term health care facilities to implement a theft and loss program, as specified, including a written patient personal property inventory. This bill would require, as part of the written patient personal property inventory in long-term health care facilities, a listing, by a unique identification number, of all patient-owned mobility, hearing, or breathing equipment, including, but not limited to, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, hearing aids, and oxygen equipment. Because the bill would create a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.