Nursing Home Shortages Are Slowing Hospital Discharges and Limiting Care

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. nursing-home capacity has dropped significantly, mainly due to staffing shortages, potentially limiting access to long-term care and slowing hospital discharges. A study led by the University of Rochester analyzed Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) data from 2018–2024 and found that licensed skilled nursing facility (SNF) beds fell by 2.5%, while operating capacity declined 5%. About 25% of facilities experienced reductions of 15% or more, with rural areas most affected.

Counties with more reported staffing shortages saw larger declines in SNF capacity. Even a 1% drop in county SNF capacity was linked to a 0.2% increase in reported staff shortages. These losses were tied to longer hospital stays and greater travel distances to available SNFs, indicating reduced access to post-hospital care. Hospitals near facilities with larger capacity declines observed more hospitalizations lasting 28 days or longer, highlighting the strain on patient flow.

Experts note that delayed discharges can block hospital beds for new patients, causing long emergency department stays, which increases the risk of complications and mortality—especially for men and older adults. Limited SNF capacity may mean that patients cannot get timely rehabilitation or medical care, impacting recovery and overall health outcomes.

Van Beusekom, M. (2026, January 15). Diminished US nursing homes capacity may limit access to long‑term care, slow hospital release. CIDRAP, University of Minnesota. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/diminished-us-nursing-homes-capacity-may-limit-access-long-term-care-slow-hospital-release