Association between Residential Segregation and Long-Term Acute Care Hospital Performance on Improvement in Function among Ventilated Patients

Jain and colleagues discuss a study on the association between residential segregation and long-term acute care hospital performance on improvement in function among ventilated patients. One in five survivors of critical illness who require prolonged mechanical ventilation are discharged to long-term acute care hospitals (LTCHs). Although disparities based on race and insurance have been described in LTCH use, studies have not evaluated equity in outcomes. Improvement in function (e.g., mobility) is a crucial recovery goal for patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. Research in other areas has suggested that Black patients disproportionately receive lower-performing facilities.