Design and Implementation of a Skilled Nursing Facility COVID-19 Unit

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Infectious Disease Control
• Geriatric Care

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic strained healthcare systems, particularly in managing acutely ill patients.
• Older adults with COVID-19 often require specialized care, balancing recovery needs with hospitalization risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of a skilled nursing facility (SNF) unit dedicated to COVID-19 care.
• To provide an alternative care pathway for clinically improving, COVID-positive older adults.
• To offer an option for patients requiring SNF care but not aggressive disease-modifying interventions.

Main Methods:

• A collaborative partnership was established between a health system and a skilled nursing facility.
• An SNF COVID-19 unit was developed and implemented to manage specific patient populations.
• Protocols were designed for expedited hospital discharge and alternative care provision.

Main Results:

• The SNF COVID-19 unit enabled timely hospital discharges for older adults recovering from COVID-19.
• It provided a suitable care environment for patients who did not require acute hospital-level interventions.
• The model addressed the need for specialized post-acute care for COVID-19 patients.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative SNF units can effectively manage COVID-19 patients, easing hospital capacity.
• This model supports appropriate care transitions for older adults, optimizing resource utilization.
• SNF-based COVID-19 units offer a viable alternative to hospitalization for selected patients.