A growing healthcare trend that will almost certainly ramp up in 2020 is “consumerism,” the concept that patients and their family members are taking even more ownership of care decisions based upon costs and their understanding of the full scope of options available to them based on research and trustworthy sources of information. In response, healthcare providers have been asked to respond with more price transparency and demonstrated quality outcomes. Read Full Post

Kindred Hospital Rehabilitation Services (KHRS) began working with our internal teams and partners in 2014 to prepare for the changes mandated through the IMPACT Act that would ultimately go into effect in 2019. In order to effectively transition from the long-used FIM tool to section GG, the IRF industry required a revised strategy with new tools, resources and training to succeed. In preparation for the changes to the new IRF-PAI system and new requirements, KHRS developed a comprehensive training and implementation plan to ensure a smooth transition for all of our hospital partners. Read Full Post

Trend to Watch: Healthcare Consolidation Aims to Close Gaps and Drive Value-Based Care In 2020, the continued – and growing – trend toward integrated production, including non-traditional partners, is helping to define an age of major transformation across the healthcare industry. While mergers and acquisitions between hospitals, health systems and physician practices may be waning, consolidation among unlikely partners has accelerated. These types of relationships include the ongoing integration between CVS and Aetna and the announced deal between Walmart and Amedysis. Read Full Post

A recent study conducted by the University of Texas Medical Branch adds to the research indicating that inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) are the best possible post-acute care option for patients who have suffered a stroke. Read Full Post

Partnerships thrive over decades in part because of their ability to succeed and adapt to change.

Take Kindred Hospital Rehabilitation Services (KHRS) and the acute rehabilitation unit (ARU) at Bayhealth Sussex Campus in Milford, Delaware, which KHRS has managed for more than two decades. The program continues to excel and recently moved to a 40-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit at Bayhealth’s new hospital located in the southernmost of the three Delaware counties, which is experiencing an influx of retirees.

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As value-based care reforms challenge hospitals to reduce costs and improve outcomes, one solution pursued by more and more hospitals and inpatient organizations is to outsource certain clinical and non-clinical services to third-party vendors. Read Full Post

A patient’s transition from one post-acute setting to another can present challenges, such as transportation issues or discharge complications. Knowing how to mitigate these challenges before they happen can enable care teams to avoid costly care transition delays that impact patient experience and outcomes. Read Full Post

Today’s healthcare environment is changing rapidly, resulting in increasing challenges for providers running acute rehabilitation programs. One of the most common obstacles is patient access. Read Full Post

Being accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) can help your program stand out. CARF accreditation ensures physicians are providing patients with care that meets internationally accepted standards; reinforces person-focused standards that emphasize an integrated and individualized approach to services and outcomes; establishes accountability to funding sources, referral agencies, and the community of a commitment to quality; and provides guidance for responsible management and professional growth of personnel. Read Full Post

The world of healthcare is becoming increasingly complex. Consequently, providers running inpatient rehabilitation programs are confronted with growing challenges – including the issue of reimbursement. Read Full Post