Hospital urges CPS to share safety plans 24 hours before infant discharge

Hospital staff and committee members discussed coordination problems between Memorial Hospital and Child Protective Services during a Harrison County child-welfare committee meeting focused on infants discharged under CPS safety plans. Hospital representatives said the facility has seen a sharp increase in CPS cases in recent months and asked that safety plans be shared earlier and in a clearer format so medical teams can confirm care needs before discharge.

Committee members said Memorial Hospital reported its CPS referrals had “tripled” compared with prior months and that hospital staff have sometimes been waiting until the day of discharge for a disposition recommendation from CPS. Committee members and hospital staff said they want safety plans provided at least 24 hours before discharge, and discussed standardizing the safety-plan…