In today’s challenging environment, many healthcare providers are finding greater hospital success through rehabilitation partnership. Support through a rehabilitation joint-venture or acute management partner has resulted in quality improvement, cost savings and high demand service line optimization. While the healthcare landscape has never been more challenging, this is a time of great opportunity. Read Full Post

The latest episode of Becker’s Healthcare Podcast features Kindred Healthcare COO Jason Zachariah discussing his journey to his current role of COO, the evolution of healthcare, how organizations are handling the pandemic, and more. Read Full Post

Although infection prevention and control measures have always been a part of an inpatient rehabilitation facility’s (IRFs) operational model, the impact on patient health and safety following COVID-19 has not only brought these measures to the forefront of patient care, but has also seen additions and revisions to previous practices. Read Full Post

The latest research shows that rehabilitation is critical for many recovering COVID-19 patients – at least 20 percent.¹ However, if hospitals are unable to properly optimize their acute rehabilitation units, these patients may not reach the highest level of outcomes. Read Full Post

Rehabilitation therapy is more important than ever, especially regarding those affected by COVID-19. This impact of early rehabilitation is demonstrated in two recent COVID-19 patient success stories from Kindred Healthcare partner Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where two survivors were recently discharged – Alan Stolba and Larry Potter. Read Full Post

“Early rehabilitation of the COVID-19 patients can enhance pulmonary, respiratory function, reduce complications, improve function, cognitive impairments and quality of life,” according to a recent study published by the Journal of Rehabilitation Management. The study found that medical rehabilitation could play a vital role in the recovery in COVID-19 patients with non-respiratory presentations and complications. Read Full Post

In late 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized the Physician Fee Schedule for this calendar year, which includes several updates and changes to the provision, payment and paperwork related to Medicare Part B Physical Therapy services. These changes included new rules that have already gone into effect earlier this year, and for new initiatives coming in 2021 and 2022. Read Full Post

A rehab program is only as good as its staff. Acquiring and retaining top rehab talent is critical for program effectiveness. Staffing issues can burden providers with additional costs and make it hard for them to deliver a consistently high quality of care. It’s no secret that medical industry is facing a growing talent shortage. Recent estimates predict that America will be short of more than 130,000 doctors by 2025 and specialized departments will suffer especially high shortage rates. Read Full Post

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