Understanding the Differences Between an Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital and a Skilled Nursing Facility

By PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Wausau

When patients receive their hospital discharges after a critical illness or injury, but still need care, several types of facilities can help them transition from the hospital back to their homes.  Below, we explain what inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and skilled nursing facilities are, some differences between them, and offer advice on how to choose the one that is right for you or your family. 

What Is an Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital (IRF)?

An IRF provides intensive, innovative therapeutic and rehabilitative care to help patients regain functions after a severe injury or illness.  Patients stay at the inpatient hospital and receive intensive daily therapy to help strengthen and repair their bodies. At these hospitals, caregivers expect patients to commit to rehabilitation sessions of at least three hours of therapy a day, five days a week. 

IRFs are useful for people recovering from a wide variety of severe injuries and impairments, including brain injuries, strokes, other neurological disorders, multiple joint replacements and fractures to the pelvis or lower extremities. 

At IRFs, the goal is to help restore physical independence, get people home and prevent readmissions. Healthcare providers plan therapies and treatments with these goals in mind. Patients typically have their care managed by a multidisciplinary team composed of physicians, nurses, and therapists. 

IRFs are advantageous because they offer tailored strategies for helping patients regain their abilities after severe injuries and illnesses. 

What Is a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)?

A skilled nursing facility is another common destination for patients after they get discharged from the hospital.  Skilled nursing care offers more than just custodial care — that is, assistance with managing daily needs, such as getting dressed and bathed and using the bathroom. It provides specific medical care in response to health conditions, injuries and procedures. A skilled nursing facility often provides continuing care for patients who have suffered conditions such as heart attacks or shock, hip or femur fractures or surgeries, joint replacements, sepsis and kidney and urinary infections. 

The average length of stay is about four weeks, though a patient can remain in the facility for as long as they need care. Typically, for admission to a skilled nursing facility, a patient must commit to one to one and a half hours of therapy a day. Physicians will be on staff, but nurses will handle much more of the daily care. 

Skilled nursing facilities are advantageous for many patients because they offer quality care and condition management. However, for some patients, a skilled nursing facility will not provide the intensive level of therapy or management they require. 

Contact PAM Health 

When you need to choose a care option for yourself or a family member, let PAM Health help. We can help you find the right level of medical care or rehabilitation services. You can trust our team to see you as an individual, take your specific needs into account and give you the best care possible during recovery.