Across the country, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) face staffing shortages and long waitlists for patients. That’s left hospitals with fewer post-acute care options at a time when patient acuity and discharge complexity are rising. Beds remain occupied by individuals who no longer need inpatient care but can’t safely return home.
This growing gap puts pressure on the entire healthcare system. It strains hospital capacity, delays surgeries, and increases costs. The post-acute care workforce crisis doesn’t just affect SNFs, it ripples through emergency departments, care teams, and population health goals.
SNF Closures and Staffing Shortages Disrupt Patient Flow
According to the American Health Care Association, more than 600 nursing homes have closed since 2020, with many others reducing admissions due to staffing constraints. Facilities struggle to retain licensed nurses, therapists, and aides, especially in rural and underserved areas. While the patient population ages and grows more medically complex, the supply of post-acute professionals is falling behind.
As a result, hospitals face difficult choices. Holding medically stable patients for extended periods can lead to overcrowding and unnecessary resource utilization. Discharging them without appropriate follow-up can increase the risk of complications and readmissions. To manage these challenges, health systems are rethinking how they deliver and support post-acute care.
Health Systems Expand Home-Based Care and Transitional Roles
Some hospitals have begun partnering with home health agencies to transition patients directly from the hospital to their homes with structured clinical oversight. These partnerships allow providers to continue care through visiting nurses, physical therapists, and case managers, even when SNF beds are unavailable. Patients often prefer recovering at home, and with the right support, outcomes can be just as strong.
Other systems are exploring SNF-at-home models. These programs replicate skilled nursing services in a home setting. These initiatives rely on coordinated care teams, remote monitoring technology, and flexible staffing to extend clinical capacity beyond traditional brick-and-mortar facilities. While still evolving, they represent a promising alternative for patients with low to moderate risk.
To further streamline patient flow, some hospitals are introducing transitional care roles focused on discharge planning and coordination. These staff members guide patients through the handoff between acute and post-acute care, helping close gaps and reduce readmissions. They also work closely with staffing partners to secure the right support quickly when needs shift or placements fall through.
How Supplemental Health Care Helps Fill the Post-Acute Talent Gap
Supplemental Health Care connects hospitals, home health agencies, and skilled nursing providers with licensed professionals ready to support recovery and continuity of care. From registered nurses and physical therapists to certified nursing assistants and case managers, we help organizations access the talent needed to keep post-acute services running smoothly even during shortages.
If your facility is struggling with discharge bottlenecks, staff turnover, or patient handoff challenges, we’re here to help. Contact Supplemental Health Care to strengthen your post-acute care strategy with workforce solutions built for today’s demands.
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