Factors to Consider When Choosing a Skilled Nursing / Post-Acute Rehabilitation Center

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After a hospitalization or surgery, you or your loved one may require continued medical care at a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), or Post-Acute Rehabilitation, to support your recovery journey and return to everyday life. Choosing the right skilled nursing center is an important and personal decision for you and your family. There are several factors you should consider when searching for a center such as the center’s clinal expertise, their core values, general atmosphere, and location.

Center’s Clinical Expertise

While you may have a limited amount of time to research your options, it is important to consider a center that provides a full range of clinical expertise with specialized services and an interdisciplinary team comprised of highly trained staff such as Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Dietitians, Certified Nursing Assistants, and Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists. The center you choose should also offer the type of post-acute care you need such as joint replacement and orthopedic rehabilitation, post-operative care, stroke and cardiac rehabilitation, and various therapy services.

With a wide range of support, you can receive an individualized treatment plan for your unique needs. No matter your age or ability, your healthcare team should work with you to build a care plan based on your preferences and goals to better support your path to recovery.

While searching for a Skilled Nursing or Post-Acute Rehabilitation center, it is also critical to choose a center with quality patient recovery outcomes and high patient satisfaction. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) created a Five-Star Quality Rating System to help patients and their loved ones compare and select a skilled nursing center. Each center receives an overall rating between one and five stars, with five stars indicating an above average quality center, as well as individual ratings for health inspections, staffing levels, and physical and clinical quality measures. CMS offers a skilled nursing compare site so you can compare other skilled nursing/post-acute rehabilitation centers’ ratings in your area and select the best option for your care needs.

The clinical expertise of a center can set the stage for a successful recovery journey and should be highly considered in your decision-making process when searching for a skilled nursing/post-acute rehabilitation center.  

Core Values

During your search for a skilled nursing center, you may find many options that provide the clinical expertise you need, but you should also consider the core values of each center and how they align with your own personal values. A center that maintains their core values and establishes a positive culture encourages staff to also uphold those values which are then reflected in the exceptional care they provide to patients. Providing each patient with compassion, respect, integrity, and high-quality care can lead to positive recovery outcomes and can allow you to return back to everyday life sooner than expected.

General Atmosphere

You should also choose a center that aligns with your lifestyle and feels like the right environment for you or your loved one. Some questions you should ask yourself while choosing a post-acute care center include:

  • Is the center clean?
  • Does the center offer a full range of recovery programs?
  • Does the staff seem knowledgeable and friendly?
  • Are there outdoor areas for patients to enjoy?
  • Are there quiet areas for patients to relax?
  • Are there areas where patients can visit with friends and family?
  • Does the center offer a full range of visiting hours?
  • Is there a wide variety of wellness activities for patients?
  • Does the center offer private rooms?

Location

Center proximity to family and friends may be considered as one of the most important factors for choosing a skilled nursing care center. It may be simple to solely base your decision on the rating of the center, but you may also want to consider a location near family and friends. This ensures that you or your loved one will have frequent visitors and will be able to have someone close by for support during difficult days. Close proximity to loved ones can give a sense of comfort and safety and could make a positive impact on your rehabilitation journey.

Whether you need post-acute care after an unplanned hospitalization or recovery assistance after a planned surgery, Prestige Care is here to support you with all your clinical and rehabilitation needs. Our rehabilitation programs are intended to successfully transition you or your loved one from hospital to home and provide you with the tools necessary for each phase of your recovery journey. Visit prestigecare.com/locations to learn more about our Skilled Nursing and Post-Acute Care centers.