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

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

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

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.

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Makala was admitted to Kindred Hospital with heart and pulmonary issues. But she was determined to recover and return home to her daughter -- a goal that she reached thanks to the interdisciplinary care team who helped her overcome challenge after challenge. Read Full Post

Compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and flu season, providers and payors have sought new strategies to address respiratory failure. For patients experiencing respiratory failure conditions, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), specialized acute care after the initial hospital stay is proving to play a critical role in improving patient outcomes, reducing readmissions and decreasing the severity of long-term effects. Read Full Post

Medically complex patients represent a small, but consequential portion of America’s patient population that can put strain on the nation’s health system if not treated in the proper setting. In order to improve outcomes and lower total costs of care, provider networks must be able to identify these patients and determine the most effective and efficient care delivery pathway for them. A recently-published HealthLeaders e-Book explores some of today’s chronic illnesses and comorbidities and explains why LTACHs are often the most appropriate setting to treat such conditions. Read Full Post

Determining the appropriate post-acute care (PAC) delivery setting for a patient based on his or her medical needs is essential to achieving optimal outcomes, reducing readmissions and lowering total cost of care. However, not all post-acute providers have the same capabilities, and therefore cannot efficiently care for patients with the same clinical needs. Read Full Post

Establishing the appropriate care delivery path for patients after a stay in the ICU or med-surg unit is essential to achieving optimal outcomes. Without the right clinical capabilities and surrounding environment in which to recover, patients may experience delays or suffer medical setbacks that impede recovery. Furthermore, unnecessary discharge delays and avoidable readmissions can increase the total cost of care. Read Full Post