A recent original investigation published in the JAMA Health Forum examines the association between Skilled Nursing Facility Specialist (SNFist) care and the outcomes of patients in long-stay nursing homes with Alzheimer disease and related dementias.
One of the highlights from the investigation revealed that SNFist physicians—those whose primary practice is focused on Post-Acute and Long-Term Care—constitute an important specialty that consistently delivers better outcomes for patients. These outcomes include:
- Reduced hospitalizations
- Decreased Emergency Department visits
- Improved end-of-life care for patients with dementia who reside in nursing homes.
This is an important finding, as we will continue to see increasing numbers of patients with dementia in skilled nursing facilities, and it is critical to have the specialists in these settings who can ensure this population is receiving optimal care.
As the current president of PALTmed, the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association, I am committed to the work we are doing to empower clinicians in this space to provide optimal care through education and advocacy.
