How bad are outcomes after transfer to LTACH?

So bad. But did anyone tell the family? (Me neither.)

Most people reading this know outcomes after transfer to long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) are bad. How bad?

Most patients transfer to LTACH after prolonged respiratory failure requiring tracheostomy, or have had complex surgeries with permanent dysfunction, or wounds that won't heal. Almost none of them can walk, most can't eat, and most have sign…