Skilled Nursing Facility Population Characteristics and Length of Stay: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) offer short-term, subacute care following injury or hospitalization, with Medicare fully covering stays ≤20 days. As the US population ages, SNF demand is increasing, yet this population remains poorly characterized. Prolonged stays increase pathogen exposure, with shared spaces and visitors potentially elevating viral transmission.