In relation to health care in today’s world and economy, many facets of care go undefined and are not considered to be truly consistent with standards of quality operation and outcome.
“The current process of care transitions for individuals with disabling conditions is both ineffective and inefficient. There is a need for clinicians with the necessary knowledge and skills to advocate and facilitate transitions that result in the greatest value to the individuals, their families, and the healthcare delivery system. A review of the literature reveals significant problems with transition to post-acute care (PAC) settings. Care is fragmented, disorganized, and guided by factors unrelated to the quality of care or individual outcomes.” (Gage, 2009; Sandel et al., 2009).
As this statement communicates, the effects of fragmented care and services provided can and does affect the success and outcomes of those individuals needing and/or requiring complete post-acute rehabilitation services. We see these negative effects in all phases of the care continuum which include acute individual rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities, the post-acute care arena and in the general community.
Transition to post-acute facilities such as NeuLife Rehab - Florida's post-acute rehab facility, includes preparation and validation of services provided, ideally outside of a pre-determined length of stay and progress parameters. Post-acute settings should focus on the individual and significant other in relation to a rehabilitation process that includes, but is not limited to, a systemic comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessment in the development of realistic, measurable and functional goals.
NeuLife Post-Acute programs is a CARF accredited brain injury specialty and residential rehabilitation program that focuses on the identification of barriers affecting the rehabilitation process and final discharge outcome. Examples of the effectiveness relating to a truly accredited post-acute program such as NeuLife Florida Post-Acute Program is proven by approximately 80% of catastrophic injuries return home or their communities.
One publication supporting the cost relationship between those individuals who received comprehensive post - acute care have proved to have more successful discharge outcomes as well as overall financial cost savings. (COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS FOR POST-ACUTE REHABILITATION OF THE TRAUMATICALLY BRAIN-INJURED INDIVIDUAL, M.J. Ashley, David K. Krych, Centre for Neuro Skills Bakersfield, CA Robert R. Lehr, Jr. Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences and Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 1990).
In summary, true post-acute services focus on the client’s personal needs and barriers, the environment and the ability to adapt to any actual deficit. The responsibility to acknowledge this challenge lies with all who provide care and services.
This content was provided by NeuLife Neurological Services.
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