HOW TO CHOOSE POST- ICU CARE When your loved one is hospitalized in the ICU in an acute care hospital, dependent on a mechanical ventilator to breathe, you need to know what to expect. After they are stable, discharge to another hospital will be scheduled for specialized respiratory care. This is called transfer to a lower level of care and is most often to a respiratory hospital or long-term care hospital (LTCH/LTACH). These are medical facilities that serve patients with complex medical needs who require longer hospital stays and need highly specialized care. Stays are typically less than 30 days. As soon as your loved one is medically stable, discharge to another facility, a lower level of care, or home, is scheduled. At this point, they may benefit from a Skilled Nursing Facility, Acute Rehabilitation, or Home Health Care. Hospitals and insurance providers work closely to ensure your loved one is provided with an individualized treatment plan with the goal of moving to the next lower level of care, as soon as they are medically stable. We understand that when a loved one is ill or injured, dealing with a hospitalization can be difficult for family members. We hope this simple guide provides some answers for you. We welcome any questions you may have.
The Six Most Important Questions to Ask When Choosing a Long Term Acute Care Hospital (LTCH/LTACH) for Your Loved One No one can make the decision for you. While you are considering where your loved one will get the best possible care, it can help to ask your physician or discharge planner,
Family members need to trust a facility to maximize every opportunity for recovery, particularly when the patient is unable to communicate their wishes. Ask for a tour or virtual tour in advance to get a feel for how suitable the setting is to your loved one’s needs. Ask if nursing staff includes registered nurses and if they have specialized training in critical care. Registered Nurses, RNs, complete extensive training and rigorous board examinations to provide expert bedside care alongside physicians. Ask if physicians are available on-site and if they include medical and surgical subspecialists, therapists and rehabilitation experts. Ask how treatment plans are developed at any facility you are considering. Your loved one will need a plan, and you’ll want to be aware of it, soon after admission. Ask who will be available to your family to help verify insurance benefits and answer questions about next steps in care. Each patient will need a discharge plan, and a plan for how insurance will cover it.
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