A new report provides a fresh look at what hospitals are struggling with during the pandemic.
 
Released March 25 by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG), the report suggests an opportunity remains for home health agencies ready to offer their services as a resource for hospital systems in need of post-acute partners.
 
The report includes results of a national pulse survey of administrators at 320 hospitals from February 22-26. OIG noted in its findings that hospital systems are operating in “survival mode.”
 
In regards to discharge, administrators reported particular challenges related to working with post-acute providers.
 
Administrators noted challenges transferring to post-acute facilities that were either unwilling or unable to accept patients, according to the OIG report.
 
One hospital administrator told the OIG, “We have patients in the acute-care setting that really do not belong here in terms of what they need clinically, but can’t move on because there is not an available option.”
 
Delays in discharge affected available bed space throughout hospitals, impacting a range of services, the OIG report noted. In one hospital, 13 of 17 emergency treatment rooms were occupied by COVID-19 patients waiting to be admitted to the hospital.
 
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