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 provide medically complex patients with specialized care that can reduce readmissions and care costs. Below are 5 key differences between LTACH and SNF settings that impact medically complex patient recovery. 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

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

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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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