Post-Acute Care
What is post-acute care?
Post-acute care encompasses care services that aid the continued recovery of a patient from illness or the management of a disability or chronic disease. It is typically provided following hospitalization or diagnosis of an injury or illness.
Post-acute care often includes palliative or rehabilitative services that patients receive after or in place of a stay in an acute care hospital. The type of care the patient needs will depend on their injury, illness, or condition, and the intensity of maintenance it requires.
Examples of post-acute care include:
- Outpatient rehabilitation
- Inpatient rehabilitation
- Palliative care
- Skilled nursing
- Hospice
- Home health
- Outpatient social work
How does post-acute care improve healthcare?
Post-acute care is crucial for improving healthcare because it directly helps patient health outcomes by assisting with the recovery process. Post-acute care also helps to reduce hospital readmissions since the patient is well-cared for following discharge.
Additionally, post-acute care helps to streamline the transfer of care, if needed, ensuring the there is no lapse in the care provided as patients leave the hospital. Many injuries and illnesses still require care following discharge, and post-acute care helps to provide continuous care services or assist the patient as they return to normal living.