Inpatient subacute care is provided to patients who require attention that is higher than that typically found in skilled nursing care centers but lower than that found in emergency rooms. One must be able to participate in at least five days of intensive therapy sessions per week to be admitted for inpatient rehabilitation. The individual would do better at the subacute level if they could tolerate less therapy at that intensity level or no longer need it altogether.

As a healthcare practitioner, you need to understand what is subacute care. This article will help you understand what pediatric subacute care entails and what does subacute mean in healthcare? Before we dive into details, let’s begin by discussing what subacute care entails.

What is subacute care?

Subacute care is a level of care that falls between acute hospital care and long-term care. It is meant for patients who require ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation but no longer need the intensive services provided in a hospital. Subacute care is typically provided in a specialized facility, such as a subacute care unit within a hospital, a rehabilitation center, or a skilled nursing facility.

Patients who receive subacute care may have complex medical conditions or require significant rehabilitation services. Examples include patients recovering from a stroke, surgery, or serious illness and those who need wound care or physical therapy. Subacute care aims to help patients recover as fully as possible to return to their homes and communities.

Subacute care services include skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, respiratory therapy, and other medical treatments. Patients receive individualized care plans tailored to their specific needs and goals. Care is typically provided by a team of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, therapists, and other specialists.

What are the various benefits of subacute nursing care?

Some patients may need prolonged hospitalization and extensive medical attention to recover from a severe injury. Some patients at a nursing home may only need entry-level physical therapy classes and basic care to recover fully. Subacute care is intended for those whose injuries aren’t life-threatening but require medical attention.

Subacute care is provided to people who are generally healthy enough to be released from a hospital but still have some physical vulnerabilities due to an illness or injury. Subacute nursing care can offer several benefits to patients, including:

1.      Shorter hospital stays

Subacute care can provide patients with the medical attention and rehabilitation services they need to transition from acute hospital care to their homes faster. This can help reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections and help patients avoid the high costs of prolonged hospital stays.

2.      Individualized care

Patients in subacute care receive individualized care plans tailored to their specific needs and goals. This can help ensure patients receive the appropriate care and attention needed for recovery.

3.      Comprehensive medical care

Subacute care facilities have a range of medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, therapists, and other specialists. Patients can benefit from comprehensive medical care, including medication management, wound care, pain management, and other treatments.

4.      Rehabilitation services

Subacute care facilities offer a range of rehabilitation services that can help patients regain their strength, mobility, and independence. Rehabilitation services can include physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory therapy.

5.      Improved quality of life

Subacute care can help patients recover from illness, surgery, or injury and improve their quality of life. Patients can benefit from improved physical functioning, increased mobility, and decreased pain.

What is the difference between acute and subacute care?

Acute care vs. subacute care differs in terms of the level of medical attention and rehabilitation services provided, the length of stay, and the types of medical conditions treated. Acute care refers to medical treatment in a hospital setting for severe or life-threatening conditions requiring immediate attention. Acute care typically stabilizes a patient’s condition and prevents further complications. Patients in acute care settings may require advanced medical interventions, such as surgery, ventilator support, or intensive care.

Subacute care is a level of care that falls between acute hospital care and long-term care. Subacute care is designed for patients who require ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation but no longer need the intensive services provided in a hospital. Subacute care is typically provided in a specialized facility, such as a subacute care unit within a hospital, a rehabilitation center, or a skilled nursing facility. Patients who receive subacute care may have complex medical conditions or require significant rehabilitation services.

The length of stay in acute care is generally shorter than in subacute care. Acute care patients are often discharged once their condition stabilizes, while subacute care patients may require several weeks or months of rehabilitation and medical treatment. Regarding medical conditions treated, acute care is focused on managing and treating life-threatening illnesses, such as heart attacks, strokes, and severe infections. Subacute care focuses on providing medical treatment and rehabilitation services for patients recovering from illness, surgery, or injury who require ongoing medical attention and support to regain strength, mobility, and independence.

Subacute care vs. Skilled Nursing

Subacute care and skilled nursing are two types of healthcare services designed to provide specialized care to individuals who require ongoing medical attention and support.

Subacute care is a type of medical care that is provided to individuals who require ongoing medical attention and rehabilitation services after being discharged from a hospital. This type of care is typically offered in a specialized subacute care facility and is designed to help patients transition from acute to less intensive care. Subacute care typically includes various medical services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care, and medication management.

Skilled nursing is a type of medical care provided to individuals who require ongoing medical attention and support due to a chronic illness or medical condition. Professional nursing care is typically offered in a long-term care facility, such as a nursing home. It is designed to provide patients with round-the-clock medical attention and support. Skilled nursing care typically includes various medical services, such as medication management, wound care, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.

While there is some overlap between subacute care and skilled nursing, the primary difference is the level of medical care required. Subacute care is designed to provide short-term rehabilitation services to individuals transitioning from acute care to less intensive care. In contrast, skilled nursing is designed to provide ongoing medical attention and support to individuals with chronic medical conditions.

Post-acute care vs. subacute care

Post-acute and subacute care are both types of medical care designed to provide specialized care to individuals who require ongoing medical attention and support. Below are some key differences between the two.

Post-acute care is a type of medical care provided to individuals after being discharged from a hospital. This type of care is typically offered in a specialized post-acute care facility, such as a rehabilitation center or a skilled nursing facility. It is designed to help patients recover and regain their strength and independence. Post-acute care may include various medical services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care, and medication management.

Subacute care is a type of medical care provided to individuals who require ongoing medical attention and rehabilitation services after being discharged from a hospital but do not require the same level of medical care as a patient in an acute care hospital. Subacute care is typically provided in a specialized subacute care facility and is designed to help patients transition from acute to less intensive care. Subacute care typically includes various medical services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care, and medication management.

The primary difference between post-acute care and subacute care is the timing of the care. Post-acute care is provided after a hospital stay, while subacute care is provided during the transition from acute care to less intensive care. Additionally, post-acute care may be shorter than subacute care, as it focuses on helping patients recover and regain their independence as quickly as possible.

Parting shot

Subacute nursing care can provide patients with the medical attention and rehabilitation services they need to recover from illness, surgery, or injury and regain their independence. As a healthcare practitioner, you need to understand the conditions requiring subacute care.

At bestnursingwritingservices.com, we have a team of professional writers ready to share knowledge on the same and help you understand more about what is subacute care. Improve your skills by subscribing to our services today.