Sometimes, patients may need extra time to recover from an injury, procedure, or illness. In these cases, they may not necessarily need to be in a hospital, but still require ongoing care. Long-term acute care helps to ensure patients receive the assistance they need in these unique circumstances. As a leading preventive health care practice in Statesboro, GA, Moogerfeld Internal Medicine is here with some helpful information about the service.

What Is Long-Term Acute Care?  

Long-term acute care encompasses ongoing rehabilitation or medical services that are needed beyond the span of an average hospital stay. These services could include complex wound care, managing multiple IV medications, or intensive respiratory care. The patient may also require assistance to perform daily living activities and self-care.

When Is This Service Required?

Long-term acute care can be provided in certified acute care facilities for a period of 25 days or longer. However, it is also possible for patients to receive this type of care in their home environment, either by certified caretakers or family members who have been trained to perform necessary care duties. The patient can also maintain visits with specialists or primary care physicians to aid in management or recovery from their condition.   

Often, ongoing acute care is required following a surgery, a condition, such as a stroke, or a serious injury, such as a burn. Medically complex conditions, including kidney failure requiring dialysis, infectious diseases, and complications following surgeries, can also benefit from this type of care. Finally, any individual who requires technology for regular breathing or faces a significant loss of independence may seek out this specialized type of long-term care.

If you need assistance managing any of the conditions described here, the long-term acute care specialists from Moogerfeld Internal Medicine can help. The office treats a broad range of diseases and injuries and is available to help you manage your specific condition as effectively as possible. To schedule your next appointment, call (912) 681-7111. You can also learn more about the practice on their website.