Please continue reporting on hospital discharge backlog

I commend reporter Sydney Jackson’s story in the Weekend Herald on slow hospital discharges (“In Everett hospital limbo: ‘You’re left in the dark, unless you scream,” The Herald, May 11).

Yes, discharges are tied to a patient meeting the handoff readiness benchmarks.

To me, one other key factor in the story’s example case was patient John Wightman’s medical insurance. Plus the inferred fact he had insufficient medical insurance until his family got him onto a private plan after being told he was ineligible for state insurance.

This line nailed it: “(Long-term care rehab facilities) are often privately owned and have set quotas based on patient needs, insurance plans and gender.”

If you think of this like a pipeline, the rehab facilities also need a solid discharge plan before they, too, can medically discharge. Often this includes having an at-home care plan pre-established. Involving a visiting caregiver in this plan requires insurance authorization, too.

The story reports a backlog of up to 100 long-term stay patients at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett any given time who could be discharged under ideal circumstances but are stuck, partially from the backlog at rehab facilities.

The next investigative piece could attempt a point-in-time look at a sample 100 patients to analyze their medical insurance and financial status, and compare this against the quotas of rehabs. What are the industry standard rehab center quotas for patients on private health insurance plans versus state-run insurance? What does that mean for who’s in the hospital discharge backlog? Where else is the pipeline clogged? Tell us.

This story could go far while staying close to home.

Michael Whitney

Monroe

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, Feb. 6

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Curtains act as doors for a handful of classrooms at Glenwood Elementary on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Schools’ building needs point to election reform

Construction funding requests in Arlington and Lake Stevens show need for a change to bond elections.

Lake Stevens school bond funds needed safety work at all schools

A parent’s greatest fear is for something bad to happen to their… Continue reading

Arlington schools capital levy: Say yes to new Post Middle School

Schools are the backbone of the Arlington community. Families want to move… Continue reading

Long sentences not much of a deterrent but serve justice

A recent column by Todd Welch mentions a trope that ignores one… Continue reading

Comment: Trump’s stress-test of Constitution shows it’s up to job

Keep filing lawsuits and the courts will bat down his unconstitutional orders; as long as he follows the rulings.

Stephens: Trump endangers stability of Pax Americana

Discarding the values of a ‘Great Power’ for a ‘Big Power’ will cost the U.S. its standing in the world.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, Feb. 5

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Comment: Costco’s work to defend its DEI values isn’t over

Costco successfully argued its values to shareholders, but a bigger fight looms with ‘anti-woke’ forces.

Goldberg: Trump running America as President Bush ran Iraq

Rather than de-Baathifaction, Trump and Musk are giving us de-wokeification. Expect the same ruinous results.

Kristof: Blind to science, RFK Jr. unfit to lead on health

On the cusp of another pandemic, now is not the time for a health official who doubts vaccinations.

Comment: Trump climate data purge risks Americans’ health, more

Groups are working to secure the data, but much could be lost that benefits health and economy.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.