In 10 years, post-acute care will resemble the hospitals of today, Rajeev Kumar, MD, president of AMDA-The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, told Becker's.
"There will be a huge need to cater to the burgeoning chronic illnesses — CHF, COPD, kidney disease along with post-surgical rehabilitation for patients — and I see facilities evolving to meet those needs by developing specialty certifications and staffing appropriate for such care," he said. "I anticipate creation of high acuity zones within every SNF capable of providing hospital-like care."
When asked how post-acute facilities guard against future calamities, Dr. Kumar spoke to a multipronged approach.
"Designing buildings with good ventilation, single rooms with private spaces for residents, good hygiene practiced by all staff, universal precautions, screening visitors for prevalent infections, water purification systems and adherence to infection control guidelines with a focus on patient safety will go a long way in the avoidance of being first victims of a pandemic," he said. "Once a pandemic has made its way to our communities, adhering to guidelines issued by authorities that are specific to the infection is crucial to prevent an outbreak in the facility."