long-term acute care hospital (LTAC)

Epidemiology

• fastest growing segment of postacute care in the U.S

Indications

• otherwise-stable respiratory patient who requires prolonged ventilator weaning
• skin infection, soft tissue infection, or joint infection (complex wound management)
• multiple organ system involvement
• central venous catheter

Notes

• higher intensity of care than SNF
  • stepdown capability & higher nurse-to-patient ratios
  • like SNF, provides physical therapy, occupational therapy & speech therapy
• LTAC reimbursed at several-fold higher rate than SNF for same diagnosis
• strongest predictors LTAC vs SNF
  • tracheostomy
  • hospitalization within 2 miles of an LTAC
• median survival is 8 months
• 37% die without returning home

More general terms

• acute care hospital