Patients across Nebraska are unable to be discharged from hospitals to the appropriate level of care – after being medically cleared for discharge.
Delays in patient discharges to the post-acute care setting have become increasingly challenging for Nebraska hospitals. Patients being held in hospitals results in an ineffective system that cannot serve communities appropriately. It affects hospitals of all sizes and puts patients at risk for unsafe transitions that lead to longer stays and an increased chance of poor patient outcomes.
Addressing patient transfer delays and optimizing hospital efficiencies is an ongoing priority for the NHA and Nebraska hospitals. In September of 2022, the NHA Quality Team began Transitions of Care, a pilot program to help transition patients with complex medical conditions out of the hospital and into the most appropriate care setting.
Since then, the program has helped place over 700 patients. Every patient placed means a family member receiving the right care, in the right place.
