SNF
Formal Definition
Skilled Nursing Facility: a post-acute care setting that provides nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy for patients who need continued rehabilitation or skilled nursing after an acute hospitalization.
How It's Used on the Ward
"Sniff" — "She's going to a sniff for PT/OT" or "trying to place her in a SNF but they won't take her on IV antibiotics."
Example
""Hip fracture s/p ORIF, medically stable, but still needs daily wound care and PT twice a day — SNF placement, working with case management on a bed.""
Clinical Context
SNF requires a qualifying 3-day inpatient hospital stay for Medicare coverage. "Subacute rehab" and "SNF" are often used interchangeably on the wards. Case management coordinates placement; not all SNFs accept all diagnoses (wound vacs, IV antibiotics, vents). Social determinants matter: some patients would do better at home with services.
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