Hospitals find fewer places to discharge patients

A lack of available beds in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and other rehabilitation settings is forcing hospitals to delay patient discharges. Insufficient staffing in SNFs is primarily responsible, exacerbated by staff absences related to the current omicron wave of COVID-19. Nursing homes lost roughly 15% of their employees during the pandemic. A September survey of the long-term care industry revealed 58% of nursing homes had to limit new admissions due to a lack of employees. Home health agencies are also declining more referrals than was customary prior to the pandemic. (Fierce Healthcare article, 1/14/22)