Companies that first opened sub-acute units created a business caring for patients who had no place to go. These patients were too acute for long-term or home care, but did not meet the criterion for continued hospitalization. Nurses and social workers had expressed frustration because placement was difficult. Hospitals didn't realize that such problems could be golden opportunities to offer new services. They could have opened sub-acute units first if they had collaborated with their nurses.
Nurses are good at recognizing high-risk situations.
Unsafe staffing is alarming, but we can't act because we have no power. Sometimes, management only needs to rearrange staff. A nurse's perspective could improve safety without increasing expense, but our voices aren't heard. Although nurses notice high-risk situations, they can't always correct them. Sometimes a powerful person blocks our efforts.