Quality of Care Improves in SNFs, Hospitalizations Decrease Indicates a New Study

New federal data analysis that studied quality of care suggests that over the last decade, there have been lesser hospital admissions of nursing home residents. The study, commissioned by the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), concluded that about 8.7 percent fewer residents needed to be hospitalization during their stay since 2011, reports McKnight’s.

Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL, attributes these findings to changes long-term care providers have made to increase the quality of care that residents receive. He stated, “Providers and caregivers should be recognized for these improvements made over the past decade, even as we raise the bar even higher. But that will only be possible if health policy officials and lawmakers help us secure the resources we need moving forward.”

Findings from the study indicate that between 2010 and 2020 there were about 3.5 million admissions from hospitals to nursing homes. Additionally, about two-thirds were able to go back home after receiving rehabilitation therapy. Cornerstone Rehab offers physical, occupational and speech therapy services to residents in skilled nursing facilities. Rehabilitation therapists play an essential role in helping residents recover and function independently on a daily basis.

Additional findings concluded that there was a 40 percent decrease in the number of residents who received antipsychotic medications. This is a significant decrease as one out of four residents were taking these medications in 2011. The study also stated that one out of three nursing homes had received four or five stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.