http://rockcenter.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/24/11371569-health-care-laws-leave-hospitals-overwhelmed-by-permanent-patients?lite
I thought i would share this story about "permanent patients" in the hospital setting. These are patients who are "stuck" in the hospital because they don't have a safe discharge plan. According to data from AHRQ this type of patients are on the rise... at least by 20% since 2005 to 2009. Scary number if you think about it. I'm sure we all have our own stories to add to this.
This is one of the most frustrating and challenging issues facing hospital discharge planners! Patients like "Barbara" negatively impact hospitals' bottom line, length of stay, excess days, etc. Yet, hospitals can't discharge without a safe dc plan! Ideas may include contacting her country's Embassy, paying for the SNF for a while, meeting with the family.....
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