We are caring for my mother-in-law at home. Recently, she became sick with a virus (other siblings take her on outings) and had to be
hospitalized. After she was back home, we noticed a decline such as more confusion, physically weaker, taking longer to swallow food or medications. We feel that a next hospital stay may result in discharge orders that she go to a nursing care facility as an interim before coming home. If there is not one available in our city, and not one in our county or state, can the hospital legally discharge a patient to an out-of-state facility?
For whatever reason you are asking such an odd question, I have no idea is the answer. I had to admit both of my parents 2x apiece into rehab and had a choice of where I wanted them to go. So it would be unthinkable that NO facility would be available in the entire state of Oregon, forcing the hospital to consider out of state rehab.
If/when she's hospitalized again, ask that very question to the Social Services people.
I think that it would be a rare thing that there would be no SNF or Rehab in your area, and really can only guess as to what hospitals do about discharge to rehab if you are bordering on other states. It is a good question to ask when she is hospitalized and the Social Services department would be the ones to tell you. I sure do wish you good luck.