After your surgery, ideally you are discharged home. But what happens if you are not safe or medically stable enough for home? Are there other better options besides staying in the hospital where complications can still occur?
What is hospital discharge?
Hospital discharge is a process that you go through when you leave a hospital after treatment. The hospital discharges you to go home when you no longer need inpatient care. However, if you require additional care, you will either be sent to another type of facility or be sent with home care services.
Oftentimes patients may not have fully recovered or have a medical condition and require additional care. Therefore, after discharge, you will go through a transition of care. You will be given a different level of care outside the hospital. For example, you may be sent to a skilled nursing facility if you need further care and are not yet ready to go home. Additionally, if you need physical rehabilitation, you will be sent to a rehab facility. Healthcare providers in these facilities will ensure that you get the treatment that you need and oversee your continuing care.
Different discharge options available for patients
Long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs)/Acute Rehab Facilities (ARF)
Long-term acute care facilities are specialized in treatment of patients with serious medical conditions and require ongoing intensive care. The LTACH's are often located near or inside an acute care hospital, however, they function and are licensed independently from the main hospital. The types of patients typically seen in LTACHs must need more than 25 days of hospitalization.
The average length of a patient’s stay in LTACHs is 30 days. Patients typically admitted require:
• Prolonged ventilation use
• Ongoing dialysis because of chronic renal failure
• Intensive respiratory care
• IV transfusions and medications
• Care for burns or complex wound care
SAR/SNF (sub-acute rehab or skill nursing facility)
SAR/SNF care includes a higher level of patient stability and focuses on increasing your independence. It provides a different staffing ratio compared to hospital care because the patient no longer requires acute care. The goal of SAR/SNF care is to help you transition back to your prior functional level before hospitalization.
The services provided in this level of care may include:
• Clinical nutritional therapy
• IV antibiotic therapy
• Wound care
• Speech therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Nursing care
If you are discharged to home, don't worry! Likely you will be getting services at home to help you recover safely and smoothly at home. These services can include home PT/OT, home health aides, and visiting nurses.
Check out our blog post next week where we go into home services in detail!
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