Study Sheds Light on Factors That Contribute to "Chaotic" Hospital-to-SNF Transfers

Deficiencies in transfer-of-care coordination and inadequate patient preparation are the main culprits contributing to rushed and problematic transitions from hospitals to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), according to a study published in the October 2018 issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine. The authors interviewed 138 hospital staff members, 25 SNF staff members, and 98 newly admitted (previously community-dwelling) SNF residents and/or their families from facilities across the country. Interviews covered all aspects of transfers from the person's perspective, such as hospital-SNF communication, discharge planning, nursing facility placement, patients' experiences, and the availability of resources for smooth transfer.