Examining Relationships in an Integrated Hospital System. Final Report

摘要

This study focuses on the effects of organizational relationships on post-acute utilization patterns. Specifically, this work addresses the issue of whether a formal or informal relationship between a hospital and a PAC provider influences the acute hospital discharges likelihood of PAC use, and specifically the type of PAC service used. While past research has examined the effects of organizational factors on predicting PAC service use, most of that research has been specific to one type of PAC service. Many have studied the differences in populations and costs for patients treated in hospital-based SNFs compared to those in freestanding SNFs. Similar studies of home health, and to a lesser extent acute rehabilitation services have also been conducted by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission and others. One study by RAND examined the effects of proximity on likelihood of use but few have looked at the effects of these relationships on beneficiary site of care choices.