What is a Skilled Nursing Facility?
A “skilled nursing facility” often abbreviated SNF is a place where trained medical staff are available around the clock to assist patients that have healthcare needs. While this definition seems broad, some specific things define SNFs.
- SNFs are often used for short-term stays following hospitalization for a medical issue.
- SNFs offer advanced services such as therapy and assessments by physicians.
- A stay in a SNF is often covered by medicare/medicaid or private insurance.
- SNFs often specialize in the care of a specific type of patient or in patients with specific medical needs.
How Does a Skilled Nursing Facility Differ from an Inpatient Medical Rehabilitation Facility?
SNFs and inpatient rehabilitation facilities offer the same services but do so at different intensities. Inpatient rehabilitation facilities offer therapy for multiple hours a day every day while skilled nursing facilities only do so one to three times a week.
Most patients will be admitted to a SNF and live within the facility for days to months to years. The term “inpatient” is a medical definition that generally refers to admission to a hospital while under a doctor’s supervision. This is why SNFs, despite being facilities where patients live, are not considered “inpatient” facilities.
While this may make SNFs sound inferior, many patients do not benefit from the intense amount of rehabilitation and medical supervision that inpatient facilities provide. The less frequent and intense therapy that a SNF provides may be more appropriate for those with certain injuries or in certain states of health. Physicians, nurses, and therapists work together to determine what type of facility patients are likely to benefit from the most.
How Does a Skilled Nursing Facility Differ from a Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility?
Nursing homes and assisted living facilities differ from SNFs both in the amount of medical care they provide and the length of time patients/residents stay. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities take care of people for much longer than the average SNF stay of 100 days or less. Some may have therapy and 24/7 on-site medical care, while others will have medical care available only for a short time each day.
Choosing a nursing home or skilled living facility is a far more personal process. While a SNF can provide both short term or long term care, a nursing home, assisted living facility or SNF for long term care acts as the patient’s new home.
What are the Different Types of Skilled Nursing Facilities?
While most SNFs are called by the name “skilled nursing facility” there are several specializations within the field.
- Specialization in rehabilitation with a focus on physical and occupational therapy. (Sierra Care is a congregate living health facility, which also provides SNF level of care when needed.)
- A focus on specific complex medical conditions that require specialized medical treatment.
- Services and activities that are dedicated to the elderly and their families.
- Those that are run by members of a specific religion and focused on other members of that religion.
- Facilities in small communities that focus on members of that community.
Many of these differences and options may not be obvious based on the name or location of the facility alone. This is one of the reasons why calling the facility you are considering and understanding more about their services and focus is critical. Click here to learn more about Sierra Care and the special services we provide.
Who Takes Care of Patients in a Skilled Nursing Facility
SNFs have different types of medical staff who provide many types of medical care.
Director of Nursing
The director of nursing is responsible for all nursing care at a given facility. This may be an experienced RN or an RN with additional certifications.
RN (Registered Nurse)
Provides supervision of the LVN/LPNs and well as a resource for concerns and needs of the patients. They also work with the pharmacy regarding medication orders, oversees lab tests being done, and assessments. Along with the LVN/LPN they monitor for changes in patient’s conditions, give medications as needed, and monitor recovery on a day-to-day basis.
LVN/LPN (Licensed Vocational/Practical Nurse)
Supervised by the RN, the LVN/LPNs make many of the day-to-day medical decisions that are necessary for the safe, comfortable, and compassionate care of patients. They monitor for changes in patient’s conditions, give medications, carie for wounds, and monitor recovery on a day-to-day basis.
CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)
CNAs work under LVN/LPNs to assist with patient’s daily activities. This includes bathing, toileting, eating, and recreational activities.
Many SNFs also have physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and other specialized medical professionals that contract with them. These professionals provide many of the same therapies that are offered in inpatient hospitals.
Who Takes Care of Patients in a Skilled Nursing Facility
SNFs have different types of medical staff who provide many types of medical care.
Director of Nursing
The director of nursing is responsible for all nursing care at a given facility. This may be an experienced RN or an RN with additional certifications.
RN (Registered Nurse)
Provides supervision of the LVN/LPNs and well as a resource for concerns and needs of the patients. They also work with the pharmacy regarding medication orders, oversees lab tests being done, and assessments. Along with the LVN/LPN they monitor for changes in patient’s conditions, give medications as needed, and monitor recovery on a day-to-day basis.
LVN/LPN (Licensed Vocational/Practical Nurse)
Supervised by the RN, the LVN/LPNs make many of the day-to-day medical decisions that are necessary for the safe, comfortable, and compassionate care of patients. They monitor for changes in patient’s conditions, give medications, carie for wounds, and monitor recovery on a day-to-day basis.
CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)
CNAs work under LVN/LPNs to assist with patient’s daily activities. This includes bathing, toileting, eating, and recreational activities.
Many SNFs also have physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and other specialized medical professionals that contract with them. These professionals provide many of the same therapies that are offered in inpatient hospitals.
How do Skilled Nursing Facilities Differ from Acute Rehabilitation
The difference between a skilled nursing facility (SNF), acute rehabilitation facility, and subacute rehabilitation facility is found in the intensity of their services.
The term SNF was established by the government and encompasses a large number of facility types. These facilities provide services to patients that require continued care after hospital admission for medical treatments, rehabilitation, and recovery.
Subacute rehabilitation is one of the services that some SNFs may provide. There are SNFs that specialize in subacute rehabilitation in addition to medical treatments and post-surgical care. For this reason, many subacute rehabilitation programs take place at SNFs and vice-versa.
Acute rehabilitation differs greatly from SNFs and subacute rehabilitation programs. An acute rehabilitation program must offer several hours of therapy per day, have specific therapists and medical staff on hand at all times, and are equipped to handle sicker patients compared to SNFs and subacute rehabilitation programs.
What Kind of Care is Available at a Skilled Nursing Facility
Nursing Care
Nursing encompasses all of the daily care that is designed to support a patient while they recover. Everything from daily medications, physical assessments, and assistance with bathing, eating, and activities.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy (PT) is provided by trained therapists and is used to help with strength and balance. Most patients in a SNF receive some form of PT. Exactly what kinds of therapy and the intensity of that therapy vary greatly depending on the patient’s needs.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy (OT) can be thought of as training and exercise related to specific life skills. OT at a SNF often involves teaching and practicing skills that have been made more difficult due to an injury or illness. Opening doors, tying shoes, using silverware, and getting in and out of vehicles may all be made far more difficult with certain injuries and illnesses. OTs teach the skills required to overcome these difficulties in a safe way.
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy is most commonly used to assess patients in SNFs that have difficulty with swallowing. Many muscles in the mouth and throat are needed for swallowing. Just like any other muscle they can become weak and lead to difficulty swallowing. Speech therapists are trained to provide therapy and diet guidelines to help with these issues.
Respiratory Therapy
Respiratory therapists (RTs) are critical to the recovery of patients that have illnesses such as pneumonia, asthma, and COPD. These professionals provide therapy to help strengthen breathing and the ability to cough up mucus and phlegm. RTs are found more in the subacute setting.
What Skilled Nursing Services does Sierra Care Offer?
Sierra Care offers the full range of skilled nursing services. Our facilities are capable of providing not only excellent nursing care, but expert therapy in all of the areas listed above.
The multiple levels of treatment that Sierra Care provides means that choosing Sierra Care as your rehabilitation facility gives you access to a whole spectrum of resources to assist with you or your loved ones recovery. Having the same facility manage the entirety of your care allows for easier transitions back to home and a more rapid recovery.
