Patients, their family members and friends are often overwhelmed during care transitions so we have compiled some frequently asked questions about our long-term acute care hospitals. Whether you are a patient, loved one or healthcare professional, here are a few things about our Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals (LTACHs) you should know:

What is a Long-Term Acute Care Hospital?
A Kindred LTACH (certified as a long-term acute care hospital) offers acute care services including aggressive, medically complex care, intensive care and short-term rehabilitation. Our hospitals are unique settings where patients receive extended intensive care and aggressive rehabilitation simultaneously.

Kindred Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals are licensed as acute care hospitals with an additional Medicare certification that supports a longer length of stay – usually weeks not days – as compared to the typical five day stay for patients in traditional hospitals.

Why Can’t the Patient Stay at a Short-Term Hospital?
The most common hospital setting in America is one that provides short-term acute care for patients with pressing health issues – emergencies brought on by illness or an accident. The immediate objective is to stabilize patients and help them recover as quickly as possible.

For many of these patients, however, a quick recovery is unrealistic – they are too sick or otherwise medically complex and they need specialized care and extended recovery time. They need a hospital that provides specialized care and prolonged recovery time. They need a long-term acute care hospital

Short-term hospitals excel at helping patients with acute conditions who can recover in a relatively short time – the average stay in a short-term hospital is about four to five days. But some patients have more serious illnesses or even several illnesses at the same time. They require long-term care from an interdisciplinary team with a special expertise in caring for seriously ill, medically complex patients.

Why Are the Care Coordinators Looking at Kindred Hospital as a Discharge Option?
A process called discharge planning begins immediately upon admission to any hospital. Discharge planning ensures that patients are in the appropriate care setting for their medical needs. Care coordinators have suggested Kindred Hospital because:

• It is anticipated the patient may have a longer hospital stay and/or
• Kindred Hospital specializes in treating the patient’s diagnoses

The hospital where the patient is currently receiving treatment is designed to serve short-term medical needs. Kindred Hospital (certified as a long-term acute care hospital) is licensed as an acute care hospital but has an additional Medicare certification that supports a length of stay measured in weeks as compared to the typical four to five day stay for patients in traditional hospitals. We are therefore able to offer more specialized services and longer-term care for medically complex patients who are unable to recover completely in the short-term setting.

What Kinds of Patients Are at Kindred Hospital?
Many of our patients are dependent upon a ventilator or other technology for regular breathing. We also care for patients who have medically complex conditions, such as pulmonary disease, neuro deficits, cardiac disease, renal failure requiring dialysis, pressure wounds, infectious diseases or complications following surgery.

Our patients often have multiple co-morbidities, multi organ system failure, and significant loss of independence, most following a traditional hospital stay. Our goal is to help our patients transition back toward independence through specialized care.

How Does the Admissions Process Work?
Our clinical liaison will meet with the patient’s care coordinator and review the patient chart to obtain a complete understanding of the hospital treatment, as well as past medical history. Once a patient is approved, a mutually agreed-upon admission date and time will be established.

We recognize the importance of understanding and preparing for individual needs prior to patient arrival. The result is a smooth transition for both patients and families.

Will the Patient Have The Same Physician At Kindred Hospital?
All physicians are encouraged to follow their patients to Kindred Hospital. Should the current physician(s) decline this option, we will provide them with updates as to the patient’s medical status.

Kindred Hospital offers 24-hour physician or physician extender coverage. Our physicians are from a variety of fields, including internal medicine, critical care and pulmonary care.

Does Kindred Provide Rehabilitation Services? When Does Treatment Begin?
We believe that early rehabilitation is essential for recovering strength and function. Our rehabilitation team includes:

• physical therapists
• occupational therapists
• speech-language pathologists

Assessment will begin immediately. The duration of daily therapy sessions will depend upon the patient’s tolerance level.