03/06/2025
- "SNF at home" or "subacute at home" is a growing trend: This model offers services typically provided in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) within a patient's home.
- It addresses hospital bed logjams: Patients who no longer need acute hospital care but aren't ready for full independence can be discharged home, freeing up beds.
- Staffing shortages are driving the need: Shortages at post-acute facilities are increasing hospital stays.
Benefits include:
- Faster recovery due to a comfortable home environment.
- Reduced risk of hospital-acquired infections.
- Therapy tailored to the patient's home.
- Possible cost reduction.
Challenges exist:
- Lack of federal standards and reimbursement mechanisms.
- Patient selection is crucial (e.g., those with dementia may struggle).
- The need for adequate home support, including caregivers.
- Technology plays a role: Remote monitoring and portable medical devices are used to provide care at home.
- Clinical trials are underway: Studies are being conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of SNF-at-home programs.
-There are some disagreements with traditional nursing home associations: The traditional nursing home associations feel that their services can not be replicated at home.
- The programs can work in rural areas: Where SNF facilities are closing, and where travel is difficult.
Many patients ready to leave the hospital end up lingering for days or weeks because of a lack of open spots at nursing homes and rehab facilities. A few health systems are addressing this problem by moving post-acute rehab into the home.
