The Difference Between a Skilled Nursing Facility and Hospital
After your loved one’s stay at a hospital, they might have been sent to a skilled nursing facility. But what’s the difference?
Hospitals provide focused critical medical care
Hospitals provide care for serious medical needs. While in a hospital, patients receive constant care and support, including daily oversight from medical doctors.
Hospital care is focused on ensuring patients receive critical care and are in a stable state by the time they leave.
Skilled nursing facilities provide ongoing, specialized nursing care and rehabilitation
When individuals need continued medical care during recovery or rehabilitation, they can go to a skilled nursing facility.
Skilled nursing facilities are focused on helping patients recover and rehabilitate, with the end goal of preparing patients to go home.
Compared to a hospital, skilled nursing facilities:
- Feel more like a home environment, with most patients having their own rooms
- Typically have social activities and more relaxed visitation rules
A stay at a skilled nursing facility means your loved one is one step closer to getting home.