What is a Skilled Nursing Facility?

A Skilled Nursing Facility, has registered and licensed practical nurses who help provide 24-hour care to people who can no longer care for themselves due to physical, emotional, or mental conditions. A licensed physician directs each patient’s care and a licensed nurse is on the premises.   Skilled Nursing Facilities have two basic types of services: skilled medical care and custodial care.

Skilled medical care includes services of trained professionals that are needed for a limited period of time following an injury or illness:

• A Resident Nurse doing wound care and changing dressings after a major surgery, or administering and monitoring I.V. antibiotics for a severe infection.
• A physical therapist helping to correct strength and balance problems that have made it difficult for a patient to walk or get on and off the bed, toilet or furniture.
• A speech therapist helping a person regain the ability to communicate after a stroke.
• An occupational therapist helping a person relearn independent self-care in areas such as dressing, grooming and eating.

Skilled care may also be needed on a long term basis if a resident requires injections, ventilation or similar treatment.  Valley Vista Care provides skilled & rehabilitation services in Sandpoint and St. Maries.

Click on Our Facilities to learn more about our Skilled Nursing Services.