What Is Subacute Care?

What Is Subacute Care? Exploring This Nursing Specialty

Subacute care is a nursing specialty that provides a level of care between acute hospital care and traditional long-term care. Patients who require subacute care are typically recovering from an acute illness or injury but still require ongoing medical attention and monitoring. Subacute care facilities are designed to provide this level of care in a more comfortable and less restrictive environment than a hospital setting.

In this article, we will explore the definition of subacute care, the types of patients who require subacute care, the goals of subacute care, and the types of healthcare professionals involved in subacute care.

What is Subacute Care?

Subacute care refers to a level of care that falls between acute hospital care and traditional long-term care. Subacute care facilities provide short-term medical and rehabilitation services for patients who are no longer acutely ill but still require medical attention and monitoring. These facilities provide a more comfortable and less restrictive environment than a hospital setting while still providing the level of care necessary for patients to recover and transition back to their daily lives.

Subacute care facilities are typically located in freestanding facilities or within larger healthcare systems such as hospitals or skilled nursing facilities. These facilities are staffed by healthcare professionals who specialize in providing subacute care services, including physicians, nurses, therapists, and social workers.

Types of Patients Who Require Subacute Care

Subacute care is typically required by patients who have suffered an acute illness or injury, such as a stroke, heart attack, or surgery, and are no longer in need of acute hospital care but still require ongoing medical attention and monitoring. Patients who require subacute care often have complex medical needs that require specialized care and management.

Patients who require subacute care may have multiple medical conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), that require ongoing management and treatment. Additionally, patients who have undergone surgery, such as joint replacement or cardiac surgery, may require subacute care services to aid in their recovery and rehabilitation.

Patients who require subacute care may also have functional deficits that require rehabilitation services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy. These patients may have difficulty performing daily activities, such as walking, dressing, or bathing, and require specialized therapy services to regain their functional abilities.

Goals of Subacute Care

The goals of subacute care are to provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to rehabilitation and medical management for patients who no longer require acute hospitalization but are not yet ready for discharge to their homes or communities. Subacute care aims to improve patients’ functional status, promote independence, and facilitate their transition to the most appropriate level of care, whether that is home-based care, assisted living, or long-term care.

Specifically, subacute care focuses on:

  1. Providing specialized medical and nursing care, including wound care, pain management, and medication management.
  2. Offering intensive rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, to help patients regain function and independence.
  3. Providing patient and family education and training to promote self-management and prevent rehospitalization.
  4. Coordinating care with other healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care and appropriate referrals to community resources.
  5. Managing chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), to prevent complications and improve health outcomes.
  6. Supporting patients with complex medical needs, such as those requiring ventilator support, dialysis, or wound vac therapy.

In summary, the primary goals of subacute care are to help patients achieve their maximum level of independence and improve their quality of life, while also reducing their need for rehospitalization and promoting a smooth transition to the most appropriate level of care.

What are the challenges of subacute nursing?

Subacute nursing can be challenging due to the complex needs of patients and the interdisciplinary nature of care. Some of the key challenges of subacute nursing include:

  1. Managing complex medical conditions: Subacute care patients often have multiple chronic conditions and require specialized medical management. Nurses must be knowledgeable about a wide range of medical conditions and treatments and be able to coordinate care with other healthcare professionals.
  2. Providing intensive rehabilitation services: Subacute care patients require intensive rehabilitation services to help them regain function and independence. Nurses must work closely with physical, occupational, and speech therapists to ensure that patients receive appropriate and effective therapy.
  3. Maintaining patient safety: Subacute care patients may have mobility and cognitive impairments that increase their risk of falls, pressure ulcers, and other adverse events. Nurses must be vigilant in identifying and mitigating potential safety hazards.
  4. Managing complex medication regimens: Subacute care patients often require multiple medications, and some may have complex medication regimens that require careful monitoring and coordination. Nurses must be knowledgeable about medications and their side effects and be able to manage medication interactions and adjustments.
  5. Providing emotional support: Subacute care patients may experience anxiety, depression, and other emotional and psychological issues related to their health condition and their hospitalization. Nurses must provide emotional support and help patients and families cope with the stress of illness and hospitalization.
  6. Facilitating transitions of care: Subacute care is often a transitional stage between acute hospitalization and discharge to the community. Nurses must work closely with patients, families, and other healthcare providers to facilitate a smooth transition of care and ensure that patients receive appropriate follow-up care.

Overall, subacute nursing requires a broad range of skills and knowledge, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with other healthcare providers to provide high-quality, patient-centered care.

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