Patients diagnosed with medical complexities and the critically ill are expected to represent a growing portion of the population due to the continuous aging of the population, increasing predominance of specific chronic ailments, and progress in critical care. A typical long-term acute care hospital in Provo such as theLandmark Hospital Salt Lake City may offer complex inpatient medical services for patients who are in the recovery phase of a severe acute ailment.
Costs associated with Long-term Care Facilities (LTACs)
Based on a study posted on the US National Library of Medicine National Institute Of Health, at least 234, 799 patients met their diagnosis of a chronic critical ailment. At least 20.6% of these patients were transferred to a Long Term Acute Care Facility (LTAC). The study showed that patients diagnosed with a chronic illness that was transferred from an LTAC facility experienced the same survival rate compared with patients who choose to remain in ICUs, acquired fewer healthcare-related costs, but acquired higher Medicare fees.
Patients diagnosed with chronic medical ailments who were transferred to an LTAC facility often experienced a one-year survival rate and a much lower 180-day hospitalization costs compared to patients who decided to stay in acute care Intensive Care Units.
Patient transfer rates
LTAC transfer rate often varies throughout the country, considerably among larger hospitals. According to a study posted on the ATS Journal, LTAC facilities have been providing care to patients requiring continuous acute care needs since the 1980s. LTAC transfer practice plays a significant role in LOS indices and mortality rates especially for patients who need prolonged acute mechanical ventilation.
Although there are noticeable regional variations in Long Term Acute Care transfer rates, ongoing studies are still being done to evaluate a few factors that contribute to the variation in transfer rates within the regions and whether the variations in transfer rates may have an impact on the outcome of the patient’s condition.
