Specialized beds program: diversification options in skilled nursing facilities.

Serving patients in the SNF who need specialized, highly skilled care demands strong commitment, intensive planning, cooperative research, and continuous reassessment and evaluation. Specialty care programs are necessary to provide viable alternatives to acute care hospitalization for patients who need long term care. Health care organizations should continue their cooperative efforts to ensure the appropriate and cost effective use of services. Based on CCM's successful history of operating special care programs, providers should be encouraged to become leaders in developing specialized care alternatives. The appropriate use of long term care as well as acute care settings is in the best interest of patients, communities, and the health care industry itself.