Long Term Acute Care Hospitals have established themselves by identifying and serving a clinically complex population. These specialized facilities provide services for medically complex patients who suffer from multi-system failures. Typically these patients require extended medical care services and hospitalization following a stay in a short-term acute care hospital. This population requires a specialized multidisciplinary team approach that is organized best in this type of specialized hospital.

Patients admitted to LTACHs are typically characterized by a complex diagnosis, a medical condition that is difficult to manage, constant monitoring needs, and a complicated medical regimen. Patients receive care on a 24-hour/7-days-a-week basis and have an average length of stay of 25 days or more. The goal of such hospitals is for a complete medical recovery and the patient's return to home and family.

The severity of the typical LTACH patient requires:

• Interactive physician directions with daily on-site assessment
  
• Significant ancillary services such as respiratory care, laboratory, radiology, and surgical services
  
• Education for patients and family to assist in their healthcare needs

LTACHs are different from hospitals providing long-term chronic care and skilled nursing facilities (SNF). While LTACHs are staffed and equipped to provide specialized and intensive treatment for critically ill patients, the latter type of facilities are generally structured to stabilize the conditions of patients with much lower acuity levels.