Healthcare Headlines Blog

While long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are often misunderstood as offering the same level of care, the unique expertise and resources available at LTACHs allow them to improve outcomes and provide efficient care for medically complex patients. Below are 5 key differences between LTACH and SNF settings that impact patient outcomes. Read Full Post

Discharge decisions may contribute to the significant healthcare challenges associated with sepsis. Though sepsis patients are often discharged to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), recent data demonstrates that transitioning patients to long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs), which provide continued acute care for critically complex patients, can reduce length of stay, readmissions, and overall spending. Read Full Post

Tim came to Kindred Hospital on a ventilator after experiencing respiratory failure. But he had a goal: To recover completely enough to escort his daughter down the aisle and dance with her at her upcoming wedding. With the help of the hospital's interdisciplinary team of caregivers, Tim achieved his goal. Read Full Post

Ensuring that patients leaving the ICU or med/surg unit have access to the most appropriate post-acute care (PAC) setting is a key component of improving outcomes and reducing readmissions. This makes understanding the differences between PAC options essential. Read Full Post

The healthcare industry continues to pilot new ways of delivering care that align patient, provider, and payer incentives. Medically complex patients remain a key population due to higher costs associated with the intensity of treatment and length of recovery time required. The latest innovation in care delivery, an expansion of the accountable care organization (ACO) called ACO REACH, is pushing further into addressing the needs of these patients. Learn more about the program and how long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) can play a role in achieving the goals of the newest model. Read Full Post

Cedar Gate Technologies conducted a review of claims data of ACO beneficiaries treated at LTACHs and SNFs in Las Vegas. They found that Medicare spending and readmission rates were lower for patients who discharged to LTACHs, and lowest for those discharging to Kindred LTACHs specifically. Cedar Gate concluded that LTACHs can deliver efficient and cost-effective care for complex patients. Read Full Post

Studies show that timely discharge of patients on prolonged ventilation to long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) can help optimize outcomes and reduce readmissions. Read Full Post

Research shows long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) can meaningfully participate and contribute to financial success in value-based care models Read Full Post

Medically complex patients tend to experience longer recovery journeys and are more likely to readmit to the ICU after hospitalization. For these patients, it is essential to reduce setbacks and readmissions. Learn about two care coordination strategies that can improve care efficiency and how Kindred Hospitals are taking them a step further. Read Full Post

Determining the appropriate post-acute care (PAC) delivery setting for a patient based on his or her medical needs can help improve outcomes and lower total cost of care. While many patients are able to fully recover at a skilled nursing facility (SNF) or at home following a hospital stay, a small percentage of the patient population requires additional critical care and services. Without the proper intensity of acute care and access to physicians and on-site specialized services, these patients are more likely to readmit to the hospital, thereby increasing total cost.

Read Full Post