Many people have never heard of a long-term acute care hospital because the services are specially designed for people with unique medical needs who require serious care following a trip to the emergency room or an increase in symptoms of a chronic illness they live with.
That’s why it can be so confusing if your loved one’s physician says they would like to transition them to a long-term acute care hospital, or LTACH, especially if you’re already being treated in a hospital. Our Kindred Hospitals are this type of specialty facility, and we often get questions from families about our care. Below are explanations to some of those frequently asked questions.
Why might my loved one be referred to Kindred Hospital?
Our hospitals provide treatment and rehabilitation for people with complex medical needs following a serious injury or surgery or for those living with chronic illnesses that require a experienced and highly trained staff. Your loved one may be referred to us when they:
- Need more recovery time in a hospital setting
- Should be visited by their physician daily
- Have a condition that would benefit from care by a team of specialists
It’s most common for people to stay with us from 10 to 40 days before leaving for a lower level of care or home. Our clinical team works closely with your loved one’s physicians to ensure good communication and the best possible outcome and recovery.
What conditions are treated in a Kindred Hospital?
We treat many conditions, but some of the most common are:
- Post-intensive care syndrome
- Respiratory conditions that require a ventilator to assist in breathing
- Chronic pulmonary disease
- Neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease
- Cardiac disease
- Kidney failure that requires dialysis
- Complex wound care
- Infectious diseases
- Complications following surgery
- Multiple chronic conditions
What are the differences between a Kindred Hospital and a nursing center or a rehabilitation hospital?
Our hospitals are unique in their ability to treat more serious conditions because they are certified as acute care hospitals, which is the same level of care of an emergency department or intensive care unit.
At our hospital, your loved one is visited daily by their physician and team of specialists, with 24-hour nursing care. People usually complete 1 to 3 hours of rehabilitation a day to help start their recovery process. This is why we are able to care for critically ill people, whereas skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehabilitation facilities are not.
How does the admission process work?
One of our clinical liaisons will meet with your loved one’s care coordinator to review their medical history and current health condition. If Kindred Hospital is an option, we’ll work to set an admission date and time that works for your family and care team.
As soon as your loved one arrives, they are assigned a case manager whose goal is to help transition to them to the next level of care, based on how much progress they make during their stay.
Will insurance cover treatment at Kindred Hospital?
As part of the admission process, we’ll help determine if your insurance will cover care. Kindred Hospitals accept most forms of insurance.
Learn more about Kindred Hospitals, or search for a location near you. If you have questions about healthcare for a loved one, call 1.866.KINDRED to speak with a Registered Nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We’re here to listen, and we can help.