Sometimes patients don’t have an option but to go to such a facility, at least on a short term basis. Hospitals try to discharge patients as quickly as possibl

Sometimes patients don’t have an option but to go to such a facility, at least on a short term basis. Hospitals try to discharge patients as quickly as possible, which often results in patients leaving when they may be medically stable, but are functionally compromised or are in need of services, such as iv antibiotics or wound care, that may be difficult to provide at home. If they live alone, it’s even more challenging. So the nursing facility becomes the only option. Facilities traditionally have had an easy access to a constant supply of patients, along with high reimbursement. They’ve have had little incentive to improve. Fortunately care bundles (BPCI) are starting to change this, giving hospitals a vested interest in where their patients go and what the outcome is. Facilities are going to have to improve the level of care and service they provide - or risk shutting down.