Long-Term Acute Care

Author(s):
Aaron A. Woodall, MPH, CIC, LTC-CIP, CM Chief Infection Prevention and Control

Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Service Network 8
Tampa, Florida

Revised Publication:
August 23, 2024
Original Publication:
October 2, 2014
Declarations of Conflicts of Interest:
  • 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.