1-minute roundtable.

When a patient is being discharged from the hospital and will need long term care, what goes into your decision as to when and where to place that patient?

Mary Ruckdeschel, MSSA

Social Work Manager Barnes-Jewish Hospital St. Louis

The "when" is determined by the patient's physician. The "where" is driven by the patient and family, the level of care required, availability, and location. The family may prefer a facility with which they are already familiar. Choosing a location near the patient's adult children can be very important. And of course, funding is an issue--whether it will be private pay, Medicare, or Medicaid.

Hope Vaughn, ACSW, …