What Is “Skilled Nursing?”
People may say “skilled nursing” in the same breath as “assisted living,” but they’re actually very different terms. Assisted living facilities help their residents with daily activities such as eating, bathing, dressing, and taking medication. They may even assist them with basic mobility issues. They do not, however, provide the comprehensive healthcare services of a skilled nursing facility.
People under skilled nursing care have access to treatment that can only be properly implemented by licensed nurses. This is the level of nursing care offered in hospitals, medical offices, and other certified locations. Skilled nursing facilities are tightly regulated by the U.S. Department of Health and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which demand strict quality standards and require periodic inspections.
The Value of Skilled Nursing in a Sub-acute Care Facility
Skilled nursing care is the optimal way to receive the best care for your recovery during sub-acute and post-acute rehabilitation. Skilled nursing facilities typically provide around-the-clock oversight and comprehensive care seven days a week.
Staff at these facilities include licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and certified nursing assistants as well as medical specialists such as physical, occupational and speech therapists. A good nursing facility will develop and execute customized care plans according to the diagnostic condition and the specific health and rehab goals of each patient.
At Diamondback Healthcare Center in Phoenix, Arizona, we offer many types of rehabilitation services with the overall goal of improving patient autonomy and quality of life. Common approaches to sub-acute and post-acute rehab assist patients with regaining physical strength, balance, motion, mobility and weight shifting. Diamondback also places specific emphasis on establishing wheelchair independence and helping people overcome challenges to get into and out of bed. We can even help patients sit up under their own power and balance.
Services Provided by a Quality Team of Skilled Nurses
The extensive degree of attention and care that a skilled nursing facility provides simply cannot be matched by a general assisted living facility. Here are just a few specific rehab services that only top skilled nursing facilities such as Diamondback will offer:
- 24/7 admissions
- Personalized care plans
- Coordinated case management/discharge planning
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Orthopedic rehabilitation
- Ventilator weaning program
- Tracheostomy care
- In-house dialysis
- Intravenous infusions
- Dietary services
- Recreational therapy
- Wound care
- Psychiatric services
- Mobile podiatry
- Medication management
- On-call physicians
As part of our emphasis on whole-person wellness, Diamondback Healthcare Center maintains robust staffing levels and low nurse-to-patient ratios. This allows for extremely attentive patient care that is both focused and kind.
For More Information
Diamondback Healthcare Center supports patients recovering from a broad spectrum of health issues after a hospital stay by providing sub-acute and post-acute and care. Call us at (623) 303-2882 or contact us online to speak to a member of our staff or to schedule a visit.