Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Long-Term Acute Care
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What is a Long-Term Acute Care Hospital?
A Long-Term Acute Care Hospital (LTACH) is a unique type of hospital that serves the medically complex, critically ill and catastrophically injured population. We provide an acute level of care to patients requiring a longer hospitalization and greater levels of care.
At times, patients in a Short-Term Acute Care Hospital (STACH) require longer periods of hospitalization due to acute illness or complications of surgery or trauma. Once the patient is stabilized, it can be weeks before the patient is ready to be transferred to a Skilled Nursing Facility, Acute Rehabilitation Facility, or home.
The goal of an LTACH is to rehabilitate patients to a healthcare setting which will allow them greater independence and medical stability.
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What Can a Long-Term Acute Care Hospital Do That Cannot Be Done Where I Am?
LTACHs allow patients to stay and receive care for extended periods of time. The length of stay at an LTACH depends on the severity of the patient’s illness but is typically 25 days. BridgePoint LTACHs provide teams of interdisciplinary caregivers who work together to tailor patient-focused healthcare plans.
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What Types of Patients Go to a Long-Term Acute Care Hospital?
Patients with one or more complex medical conditions are referred by their physicians to an LTACH. Our LTACHs provide patient-centered care in our Critical Care, Cardiac Monitored or Medical/Surgical Units.
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How Often Am I Being Seen by a Physician?
All patients in the LTACH are seen by a physician daily and have access to physician specialists 24/7.
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What Are the Patient Visiting Hours?
Patient visiting hours are from 11:30 am to 8:00 pm (special accommodations can be made upon request). We have free visitor parking available at all our locations.
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How Is a Long-Term Acute Care Hospital Licensed, Certified and Accredited?
We are licensed as an acute care hospital, certified by Medicare and accredited by The Joint Commission. LTACHs have the same regulatory standards all hospitals are required to abide by.
We are not a Chronic Care, Skilled Nursing, or Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility. If you are being referred to an LTACH, your physician feels you are in need of extended hospitalization with specialized interdisciplinary care.
Sub-Acute & Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Facilities
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What is a Sub-Acute and Rehabilitation Facility?
A Sub-Acute and Rehabilitation Facility is less intensive than acute rehabilitation and focuses on physical and functional improvement and personal independence of the patient. Today’s shorter hospital stays result in patients being discharged before they are ready to function independently and safely at home.
In order to prepare patients to return to their own homes, continued skilled nursing care and rehabilitation is often required. In these facilities, patients are cared for by a multidisciplinary team of experienced and welcoming physicians, dietitians, social workers and activity workers who round out the spectrum of clinical services.
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What is a Skilled Nursing Facility?
A Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) is a clinical care provider offering 24-hour licensed nursing care. A SNF primarily provides services for residents requiring medical and nursing care and/or therapy services for rehabilitation.
A licensed physician supervises each patient’s care, while a nurse and other medical professionals, such as occupational or physical therapists, are always onsite.
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What is the difference between a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) and an Assisted Living Facility?
The Sub-Acute unit provides post-surgical care, wound care, pain management, IV therapy, nutritional counseling and restorative rehabilitation. Patients recovering from orthopedic surgery (e.g. knee or hip), as well as those recovering from strokes and other neurological disorders, are treated in the sub-acute unit.
Care at a Skilled Nursing Facility typically includes physical therapy, occupational and speech rehabilitation, intravenous therapy, post-surgical stabilization, pulmonary management and wound care.
Our SNFs also provide assistance with administration of medications and aid in a variety of daily living needs, including dressing, bathing, walking and eating.
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How Often Am I Being Seen by a Physician/Social Worker/Case Manager?
All patients are seen by a physician, social worker and a case manager at least once a week and on an as-needed basis. Our patients have access to physician specialists 24/7.
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What Are the Patient Visiting Hours?
We have flexible visitation hours to allow residents to spend time with family and friends while promoting opportunities for patient care, privacy, and rest.