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Resources by Topic: Post-acute care

A Critique of the Office of the Inspector General's Report on Swing Beds in Critical Access Hospitals
Evaluates the methods and data of a March 2015 report from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, commenting on Medicare reimbursement policy for swing bed services in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs).
Author(s): Kristin L. Reiter, G. Mark Holmes
Date: 03/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Medicare Could Have Saved Billions at Critical Access Hospitals If Swing-Bed Services Were Reimbursed Using the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System Rates
Reports the Inspector General's findings from a study of swing bed services and reimbursement at Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Addresses changes in swing bed usage over time and examines the potential impact to Medicare of reimbursing swing bed services at skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) rates.
Date: 03/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Review Strategies to Recruit and Retain Rural Patient Participating Self-Management Behavioral Trials
Discusses effective methods to encourage rural patients with cardiovascular disease to participate in self-management behavioral intervention trials designed to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
Author(s): Lufei Young, Susan Barnason, Van Do
Citation: Online Journal of Rural Research & Policy, 10(2)
Date: 2015
Type: Document
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Quality of Life and Loneliness in Stroke Survivors Living in Appalachia
Reports on a study of loneliness and its effect on the quality of life (QoL) among rural stroke survivors in Appalachian West Virginia. Looks at post-stroke factors in determining QoL, such as continued smoking, recovery in a nursing home versus the patient's home, and comorbidity.
Author(s): Laurie Theeke, Patricia Horstman, Jennifer Mallow, et al.
Citation: Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 46(6), E3-15
Date: 12/2014
Type: Document
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New Models for Rural Post-Acute Care: Critical Access Hospitals Optimize Patient Outcomes, Value, and Financial Stability
Reports on the Transitional and Ventilator Care Model, which provided transitional Ventilator Care and increased utilization of swing beds in Critical Access Hospitals, helping them expand their service offerings, reduce readmissions, and improve their finances. Addresses the program's initial success and expansion to 11 CAHs in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Requires name, email address, and organization information to download.
Author(s): Mark Lindsay, Karl Palmer, Terry Hill, et al.
Date: 05/2014
Type: Document
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Discharge to Swing Bed or Skilled Nursing Facility: Who Goes Where?
Examines health conditions of patients discharged from rural Prospective Payment System (PPS) hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to swing beds and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs).
Author(s): Victoria A. Freeman, Randy K. Randolph, Mark Holmes
Date: 02/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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"Living With a Ball and Chain": The Experience of Stroke for Individuals and Their Caregivers in Rural Appalachian Kentucky
Describes a qualitative study based on interviews with 13 stroke survivors and 12 caregivers in rural Appalachian Kentucky. Analyzes the transcripts for qualitative data giving insight into the experience of stroke victims from the time of onset, through their treatment in the healthcare system, to their reintegration into their home and community.
Author(s): Megan M. Danzl, Elizabeth G. Hunter, Sarah Campbell, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 29(4), 368-382
Date: 10/2013
Type: Document
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Why Do Some Critical Access Hospitals Close Their Skilled Nursing Facility Services While Others Retain Them?
Examines the factors related to the operation of skilled nursing services by Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and specifically the factors related to closure of skilled nursing units by some CAHs and the continued provision of these services by others. Addresses the impact of swing beds.
Author(s): John A. Gale, Zachariah T. Croll, Andrew F. Coburn, Walter R. Gregg
Date: 11/2012
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Why Use Swing Beds? Conversations with Hospital Administrators and Staff
Includes interviews of hospital administrators and staff about the use of swing beds, including Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Addresses the role of swing beds in patient care, swing bed volume and financial considerations, swing beds in the context of all community post-acute skilled care, and swing beds as a benefit for community residents.
Author(s): Victoria A. Freeman, Andrea Radford
Date: 04/2012
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Effect of Swing Bed Use on Medicare Average Daily Cost and Reimbursement in Critical Access Hospitals
Estimates the average net cost to Medicare of a skilled nursing facility swing day by simulating the elimination of all Medicare skilled nursing facility swing bed days in Critical Access Hospitals in 2009.
Author(s): Kristin L. Reiter, George M. Holmes, George H. Pink, Victoria A. Freeman
Date: 12/2011
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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