Kindred Healthcare, LLC (“Kindred”) today commented on the release of “The Role of LTAC (“long-term acute care”) Hospitals in COVID-19,” a research paper and claims analysis by ATI Advisory.

Benjamin A. Breier, Kindred’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “Today’s ATI Advisory report underscores the unique value that LTAC hospitals bring to the nation’s most medically complex patients, and the solutions that they continue to deliver to patients and hospital partners throughout the public health emergency.”

According to the report: “Our research indicates that the clinical capabilities in LTAC hospitals have been particularly well suited to extend [short-term acute care hospital] capacity and fill COVID-related gaps in the [post-acute care] continuum.”

The report relied on Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ claims data to demonstrate that patients in LTAC hospitals have become more clinically complex during the public health emergency. The data, along with qualitative interviews with healthcare professionals and clinicians, “strongly suggests that LTAC hospitals have played an important role in meeting the public health needs of clinicians, patients, and patients’ families over the course of the pandemic.”

Based upon the COVID experience, ATI Advisory’s report also recommends key considerations as part of future health policy development.

ATI Advisory is a Washington, DC-based research and advisory services firm working to transform the delivery of healthcare and aging services for older adults. By providing insight and strategy backed by original research, ATI helps organizations lead and deliver change in senior healthcare and long-term services and supports systems. For more information, visit www.atiadvisory.com.