Long-Term Acute Care
- Revised Publication:
- August 23, 2024
- Original Publication:
- October 2, 2014
- Declarations of Conflicts of Interest:
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- Aaron A. Woodall reports no conflicts of interest.
Abstract
Within the healthcare continuum, long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) have the unique ability to provide flexibility for healthcare personnel and their patients who need long-term care for complex conditions. They are intended for patients discharged from acute care hospitals who are not yet ready for other care settings, such as long-term care facilities or home care. Patients admitted to LTACHs are at an elevated risk of complications, such as healthcare-associated infections, because of their significant comorbidities and need for long-term acute care for those comorbidities. It is imperative that infection prevention and control methodologies are in place to ensure the improvement of the patient status while admitted to LTACHs.