Trends and Factors Associated With Extremity Fractures and Post-Acute Care Utilization of Nevada Older Adults: Insights of Age-Friendly State Planning in U.S.

Abstract

Along with the trend of a steady utilization decline in the U.S. nursing home beds, post-acute care (PAC) utilization at the skilled nursing facilities has declined. This study was a cross-sectional, retrospective review of hospital discharge-based claim data. We evaluate the factors associated with utilizing post-acute care at rehabilitation facilities among those with extremity fractures in the state of Nevada. All Nevada hospital discharges of aged ≥65 years with extremity fractures between 2018 and 2021 were divided to post-acute care locations by (1) rehabilitation facilities (skilled nursing facility and inpatient rehabilitation facility) and (2) homes (with and without services). PAC utilization at facilities declined from 55.1% in 2018 to 49.7% in 2021 ( P < .001). In response, PAC utilization at homes continuously upwards, particularly, homes with services from 18.8% in 2018 to 24.5% in 2021 ( P < .001). Older age, female, lower extremity fractures, comorbidities, and Medicare beneficiaries were associated with higher probabilities of utilizing post-acute rehabilitation facilities. Racial minorities, COVID-19 pandemic, upper extremities, Medicaid beneficiaries, rural hospitals, and prolonged hospital length of stay were associated with lower probabilities of PAC utilization at facilities. Caregiver burdens and workforce training is urgently warranted to respond to this utilization shift. Effective geriatrics workforce training might advance care efficiency of older adults with extremity fractures and guide to the insights of establishing the age-friendly state of Nevada in response to this utilization shift trends.