[nursenevaeh]

Our hospital is applying to be a Critical Care Access Hospital.
I was wondering if any of you out there work at one and could tell me more about it. What changes have been made? Layoffs? Pt Census? Staff to pt ratios?
Thanks,
Erin

[ranchwife]

Sooooo glad you asked!! When our little 9-bed facility applied for and was accepted as a Critical Access Hospital, we were lucky enough not to notice too many changes...as least not we NURSES!!!!! The biggest changes were in Medicare reimbursement and that was all handled by the "higher ups" and the ladies in the business office!!! We are licensed for up to 12 beds and can have 4 of them "swing beds", which we usually keep pretty close to the max!!! Critical access hospitals also qualify for special funds and grants that may not be available to your larger "for profit" places in the city!! Get a copy of your states rules and regs for critical access hospitals, because some states specify certain staffing rules!!! Best of luck to you and ENJOY!!

[CraigB-RN]

Having been a DON at a Critical Access Hospital, I can tell you not to worry about your job or anyone getting layed off. If done right it will actually help the hospitals finacial stability.

The primary benifit that CAH status gives a h ospital is that you get cost based reimbursment, soyou get back what you spend. That's the short version.

The only thing you'll prob notice the the paperwork when your patient goes from acute to swing bed status.