What is Post-Acute Care After a Hospital Stay?

The ability to stay in the hospital until they were well enough to go home was available to patients who needed hospitalization in the past due to unexpected illnesses, injuries, or other medical crises, even if it meant they had to stay longer than necessary. Due to changes in hospital policy, patients can no longer spend as long in the hospital to heal, which means that many patients are released before they are fully prepared to resume living freely at home. A skilled nursing facility's post-acute care offers these patients extra support and resources, enabling a safe and easy transfer from the hospital to their homes.

Exactly what can you expect from post-acute care?
The primary goals of post-acute care in a skilled nursing facility are to support the patient's recovery and to continue medical care. A discharge objective is established on the first day of admission, and the patient's condition and general health are taken into account while estimating the length of their stay. Patients are provided with a specific treatment plan that was created by a team of medical experts, nurses, and rehabilitation specialists.  A full range of medical services, including the following, are provided by the nursing staff: 

• Wound care
  
• Respiratory services
  
• Tube feeding
  
• Intravenous therapy
  
• Tracheostomy care and weaning
  
• Pain and medication management
  
• Dietary management
  

Physical, occupational, and speech therapy may be used during patients' thorough rehabilitation by in-house therapists (if necessary). In order to help patients return to independent living as soon as possible, this treatment aims to maximize each patient's functional skills. Therapists can help with changes to a person's way of life or living environment, as well as with the use of various aids.

Which benefits may you expect from obtaining post-acute care?
There is a considerably lesser chance that patients who are readmitted to the hospital after being discharged from the hospital and then receiving post-acute care because they are constantly monitored for any issues or changes in their status. Post-acute care guarantees that patients not only receive the best care possible but also that knowledgeable specialists are always on hand to respond to patient's questions and help them with challenging tasks. According to studies, individuals who receive post-acute care during their rehabilitation experience better outcomes for their mental health. This is as a result of the fact that skilled care institutions provide a greater variety of social and recreational activities than hospitals.

Who might profit from getting post-acute care?
Post-acute care is beneficial for anyone who has been hospitalized yet need rehabilitation and transitional care before going home. This includes those who have endured illnesses or injuries that necessitate rehabilitation. Here are a few examples of medical conditions that could require post-acute care:

• Major injury or trauma
  
• Brain injury
  
• Spinal cord injury
  
• Hip fractures
  
• Burns
  
• Amputations
  
• Stroke
  
• Cerebrovascular accident
  
• Neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease
  
• Orthopedic conditions
  
• Conditions made worse by illnesses such as COPD and heart disease
  

Patients who are receiving post-acute care might benefit from rehabilitation at a facility that offers post-acute care by increasing their strength and mobility, overcoming cognitive challenges, and regaining the ability to do daily tasks like eating, dressing, and personal hygiene. 

Bridgeway Senior Healthcare provides post-acute care.
Patients at Bridgeway Senior Healthcare get specialized post-acute care recovery programs, but the overall objective is the same: to help patients heal as quickly as possible and lead lives that are as independent as is humanly possible. We are committed to giving patients the best care possible in a healing and loving environment and to making sure they feel safe and at ease throughout the entire procedure. If you would like to schedule a tour of our 5-Star Skilled Nursing Facility or have any questions regarding the post-acute care services we offer, please fill out our contact form or give us a call at (908) 274-1090.


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