Difference Between Post-Acute Care and Subacute Care?

When a loved one is hospitalized, it can be a stressful experience for everyone involved. In more complex cases, even after the patient has achieved stabilization, determining next steps often adds confusion to the stress. For family caregivers, it’s important to understand the range of options available when patients need a higher level of care than can be provided at home. Take a look below some of the differences between acute care, subacute care, and post-acute care.

What is an acute care facility?

Acute care is immediate, high-level medical care for people suffering from serious injury, exacerbation of an existing illness, and other urgent medical conditions that require an intensive level of treatment and observation. Acute care facilities actively address life-threatening or limb-threatening conditions until the patient can be safely treated with a lower level of care. The length of stay in an acute care facility depends on the specific condition and the requirements of the patient, but stays are generally shorter in duration. A hospital is an example of an acute care facility.

What is subacute care?

Subacute care takes place after or instead of a stay in an acute care facility. Subacute care provides a specialized level of care to medically fragile patients, though often with a longer length of stay than acute care. Many patients with acute illness or injury require comprehensive care that includes frequent assessments and procedures to manage their condition. People with pulmonary disease, cardiac disease, cancer, and conditions requiring IV therapy or tube feedings may need subacute care after a hospital stay.  Subacute care can include dialysis, chemotherapy, ventilation care, complex wound care, and other inpatient medical and nursing services.

What is post-acute care?

While post-acute care also provides continued medical treatment after a hospital stay, it maintains an emphasis on recuperation, rehabilitation, and symptom management. Patients in recovery from cardiac or pulmonary disease, stroke or neurological disorders, or orthopedic surgery often require rehabilitative therapies to help bridge the gap between hospital and home. The goal of post acute rehabilitation is to maximize patient wellness and independence so they can get back to the business of living their best lives. Post-acute care services range from intensive short-term rehab to longer-term restorative care. Some patients will achieve full recovery, while others learn to manage the symptoms of a chronic illness.

Post-acute care at Bella Vista

At Bella Vista Health Center in Lemon Grove, our post-acute rehab team can help your loved one achieve their goals for recovery and regain their quality of life. In addition to wound care, the administration of medication, and assistance with the activities of daily living, our post-acute care services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other rehabilitative therapies.

Post-acute care at our skilled nursing facility provides:

• Stroke rehab

• Pulmonary rehab

• Cardiac rehab

• Hip fracture/replacement rehab

• Knee fracture/replacement rehab

• Spinal cord injury rehab

• Brain injury rehab

• And more

At Bella Vista, patients receive a customized treatment plan created by an interdisciplinary team of medical professionals dedicated to their wellness, independence, and quality of life.

For more information on our rehabilitative programs and services, please give us a call at (619) 644-1000 or drop by and see us in Lemon Grove today.

Recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury refers to brain damage caused by external force. This is not the same as a stroke, a tumor, or prolonged lack of oxygen. The top three traumatic brain injury causes include fall, car accidents, and firearms. Traumatic brain injuries can be closed head injuries (skull intact) or open head injuries (penetration of the skull), and will include at least one of the following:

• Loss of consciousness

• Amnesia

• Direct evidence of damage:

  • Abnormal brain scan

  • Skull fracture

  • Seizure

Traumatic brain injury symptoms and recovery depend on the severity of the injury, the functions affected, the rate of recovery, and other factors.

Traumatic brain injury treatment

Just as the causes of traumatic brain injury vary widely, so does the treatment.  But in general, traumatic brain injury treatment follows as such:

• Stabilization – This stage of treatment applies to moderate to severe cases and usually takes place in a hospital. The focus of this stage is stabilization and survival of the patient.  It may include surgery to remove clotted blood, the repair of skull fractures, and relief of pressure in the skull.

• Acute treatment – The second phase of treatment for more severe cases of traumatic brain injury involves the minimization of both agitation and secondary injuries. Sometimes acute treatment includes sedation, medically induced coma, or other medications to reduce muscle spasticity. Mechanical ventilation may also be required.

• Rehabilitative treatment – Traumatic brain injury usually involves impaired brain functioning, and the rehabilitative treatment phase helps patients to recover as much function as possible and to adapt to lost functions.

Skilled nursing for recovery from traumatic brain injury

In many cases, rehabilitative therapies for traumatic brain injuries begin as soon as possible during the acute care phase. And most often, they’ll continue after the patient has been discharged to a lower level of care.  Post-acute rehab facilities like Bella Vista help to provide a continuum of care that aids in patient recovery from traumatic brain injury. At Bella Vista, our rehabilitative care programs include:

• Skilled nursing care to administer medication, maintain health, provide nutrition, and assist with mobility and pain management.

• Physical therapy to restore balance, posture, strength, and coordination.

• Occupational therapy to determine the best ways to perform the tasks of daily living, help patients adapt to assistive devices, and prepare the home environment.

• Speech therapy to reduce confusion, restore communication, and assist with problem-solving.

Each patient’s rehabilitative treatment plan is determined by the particulars of their brain injury and their individual recovery process.

Recovery, recuperation, and rehabilitation at Bella Vista

At Bella Vista Health Center, our patients are our number one priority.  Our interdisciplinary team of medical professionals works collaboratively to provide a comprehensive and customized treatment plan designed to meet the individual needs of each patient.

If you or someone you love is looking for a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitative treatment following a traumatic brain injury, you can expect top-notch care while you recover, recuperate, and regain your independence at Bella Vista.

For more information, give us a call at (619) 644-1000. We look forward to serving you.

What Are The Types of Post-Acute Care?

Years ago, people suffering from illness, injury, or major surgery were able to recover in the hospital as long as they needed, but modern health insurance policies have trended toward reducing time spent in the hospital. In place of extended hospital care, post acute care has become an essential health service offered by nursing homes, home healthcare aides, and skilled nursing facilities.

Post-acute care blends well with existing services offered at skilled nursing facilities, with treatments customize*d to each patient’s need. Here are some of the types of post-acute care available:

Wound care and other medical services

Many severe wounds require frequent monitoring and bandage changes to prevent infection and ensure the healing process is proceeding properly. Patients recovering from amputations, burns, and other major injuries benefit from treatment at post-acute care facilities, which also provide medical services, such as changing IVs and administering medications.

Physical therapy

After a major injury, surgery, or extended illness, many patients require physical therapy to increase mobility, strength, and range of motion. With the goal of returning patients to their pre-injury or pre-illness abilities, physical therapy is beneficial for those recovering from hip fractures, cerebrovascular accidents, and a wide range of orthopedic conditions. Physical therapy is also helpful for patients with chronic conditions such as arthritis, and patients recovering from a stroke or spinal cord injury. Rehabilitative methods include stretching, active resistance exercises, biofeedback, and manual therapy.

Occupational therapy

Occupational therapy helps improve a patient’s ability to perform daily routines such as eating, bathing, dressing, housework, and meal preparation after suffering from major fractures, amputations, burns, spinal cord injury, and stroke. Occupational therapy can also help improve strength, mobility, and cognitive limitations such as memory loss and problem-solving difficulties for patients with neurological disorders. Rehabilitation often involves adaptive equipment training with special devices that help patients perform daily living activities and ease mobility.

Speech therapy

Speech therapy is often associated with children learning to pronounce sounds correctly, but it is an incredibly useful and successful treatment for patients recovering from a brain injury, stroke, or neurological disorder that has affected communication skills. Patients learn how to speak concisely, find the right words, and exercise volume control. Speech therapy also helps with cognition, memory, and reading and writing, and is useful for patients suffering from dementia. Another unique benefit of speech therapy is dysphagia retraining, which strengthens throat muscles for patients having trouble swallowing after a stroke, brain injury, or other damage to the central nervous system.

A compassionate continuum of care

Bella Vista Health Center provides a patient-centered continuum of care, offering short-term rehabilitation or long-term care after hospitalization. Stroke therapy in San Diego. We understand that transitions can be challenging, and we offer customized treatment programs that address both the physical and emotional needs of each patient. Our professional and compassionate team of physicians, nurses, therapists, psychologists, and social workers ensure the transition from hospital to home will be as smooth as possible in our calm and nurturing atmosphere. If you or a loved one is in need of post-acute care, we can help. Call us at (619) 644-1000 or fill out our contact form to schedule a tour of our 5-Star Skilled Nursing Facility.