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Swing-Bed Care

Service Information

At Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center, (OMHC) we understand that after a hospital stay, some patients may need additional medical care and rehabilitation before returning home. Our Swing Bed program is designed to provide patients with the care they need in a comfortable and familiar setting.

Swing Bed patients are typically those who have been discharged from the hospital but are not yet ready to go home. This may be due to a variety of reasons, such as a need for additional physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care, or other medical treatment. Our Swing Bed program provides a bridge between the hospital and home, allowing patients to receive the care they need before returning to their regular routine.

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Our OMHC Swing Bed program offers a range of medical services and therapies to help patients achieve their health goals. Our team of healthcare professionals, including your physician, medical providers, nurses, therapists, and social workers, work together to develop a personalized care plan that meets each patient’s unique needs. This care plan may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care, pain management, and medication management.

Our facility is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and technology to provide patients with the highest level of care. We also offer a variety of amenities to make our patients’ stay as comfortable as possible. Our private rooms are designed to provide a quiet and restful environment for our patients, and we offer a range of activities and events to keep them engaged and active during their stay.

In addition to our medical services, our Swing Bed program also provides patients with a range of social and emotional support. Our team of social workers and counselors can work with patients and their families to provide emotional support, counseling, and guidance throughout their stay. We also offer a range of support groups and educational programs to help patients and their families cope with the challenges of illness and recovery.

At Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center, we understand that every patient is unique, and we strive to provide individualized care to each patient in our Swing Bed program. Our goal is to help our patients achieve their health goals and return to their regular routine as soon as possible.

If you or a loved one needs additional medical care before returning home, our Swing Bed program may be the right choice for you. Contact us today at 509-982-2611 to learn more about our Swing Bed program and how we can help you on your path to recovery.

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What is Swing-Bed Care?

After a hospital stay, you may require further care before being able to return home.

Swing-Bed is a Medicare service provided by rural hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) that permits patients to obtain skilled care services at hospitals. This is only after the patients no longer require acute hospital care but still require treatments that are difficult to provide at home. The service is designed to assist patients with reaching their highest potential for health and independence before returning home.

 During your Swing-Bed stay, hospital and medical personnel will work with you to develop a treatment plan and health goals that are personalized to your individual needs. Treatment is provided in a structured, therapeutic environment by skilled professionals. These services, which include daily nursing care from licensed nurses and rehabilitative treatment, make it easier for patients to recuperate and get better. Their main goal is to help you improve your physical, nutritional, and medical conditions so you can go back home where you want to be.

Keep reading if you’d like to learn more about swing-bed care.

The Objective of Swing-Bed Care

A hospital that can transition from acute to Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) treatment allows patients to stay in one location rather than transferring between hospitals and nursing homes. Swing-Bed is a critical service in rural areas as it expands Medicare patients’ access to this type of care.

How Will You Qualify?

You may qualify for rehabilitation if you and your doctor believe you would benefit from it and if you meet certain Medicare criteria. They offer a variety of services, including but not limited to:

  • Physical Therapy
  • Medical Nursing Services
  • Social Services

These therapies are designed to meet the requirements of each patient receiving Post-Acute Rehabilitation. They assist patients in regaining control of their lives by helping them reclaim what they have lost during their hospitalization.

To qualify for swing-bed care, you will need a physician’s approval and must be enrolled in Medicare Part A or another insurance plan that covers swing-bed treatment.

Who is Short-Term Rehab/Swing-Bed for?

Short-term rehab is ideal for patients needing:

  • Wound care
  • IV medication therapy or nutritional therapy
  • Intensive physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy
  • Recovery from major surgery, joint replacement, or vascular or abdominal operation
  • Rehabilitation after a stroke
  • Strength training after a lingering illness or prolonged hospitalization for acute medical care
  • Pain management
  • Respiratory care
  • Comprehensive care depending on their condition

What Should You Bring?

Bring clean clothes or have your family bring them to you for the duration of your stay. Your checklist for packing is not limited to but should include the following necessities:

  • Comfortable, supportive shoes
  • Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing (a five-day supply to start)
  • Personal care items (such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo)
  • Personal items (to decorate your room with, to provide comfort and familiarity)
  • Sleepwear

General Services Provided by Swing-Bed Care Programs

The majority of swing-bed patients need daily care from a registered nurse and/or certified therapist. The qualified staff at their service provide many services, including:

  • Nutritional services provided by a registered dietitian
  • Pharmacy & laboratory services
  • Wound care
  • 24-Hour skilled nursing care
  • Case management & Social Services
  • Rehabilitation
  •  Additional therapies for recovery such as physical, occupational, or speech therapies
  •  Intravenous therapy and/or medications
  • Medication management

Patient/family training & education for self-care such as:

A Personalized Treatment Plan for Every Individual

In Swing-Bed care programs, patients and their caregivers engage with compassionate medical specialists, nurses, therapists, social workers, and support personnel to build an individualized treatment plan. Treatment programs are tailored to the patient’s individual needs and desired outcomes. Then a team of nurses works hard to bring patients back home and to their normal levels of activity.

Occupational therapy for self-care skills and functionality, physical therapy for strengthening and mobility, and other such therapies are used to ensure that patients are safe and capable of caring for themselves once they return home.

How Can Family Members Help?

Family and friends are encouraged to frequently visit loved ones and participate in their recovery. If possible, they can also attend care conferences and rehabilitation sessions to help with short-term rehabilitation. As patients work toward their goals, family and friends can support them and keep their spirits up. The care team ideally includes family members, friends, and caretakers. Family members can also help by:

  • Assisting the patient and care team in determining the time to transition back home after participating in the swing-bed program.
  • Participating in family training and education workshops.
  • Supporting and encouraging the patient emotionally.
  • Giving the care team information about the patient’s personality, interests, and way of life.

How Long Are You Allowed to Stay?

Swing-Bed care is not intended to be used indefinitely. The amount of time a patient can spend in a swing-bed on-site is limited by hospital policies. Most stays are only a few weeks long, and most hospitals don’t allow stays that go beyond 40 days.

If further long-term care is required, the doctor will discuss other choices with the patient, which may include in-home care or transferring to a long-term care facility.

Getting Ready for a Successful Discharge

During a patient’s short-term rehab stay, their multidisciplinary care team tracks their progress daily, setting new targets for the patients as they get closer to returning home. As the patient approaches their goals, the care team engages with the patient’s family or caregiver to facilitate a smooth release.

What Constitutes a Successful Discharge?

Families and caregivers aren’t on their own. Most often, before release, the Social Worker/Case Manager will assist the patient, family, or caregiver with any help they may require. Therapists check that all required adjustments have been made at the patient’s residence to ensure a smooth transition.

They also get in touch with the patient’s caregiver to check if they’re familiar with safe body mechanic techniques, adaptive equipment, and home exercises to assist their loved ones. The care team can also refer you to home health or rehabilitation services if necessary. 

If you’re looking for swing-bed services for yourself or a loved one, get in touch with the Social Service Department at Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center. You can call us at (509) 982-2611 or get in touch online. Our Swing-Bed Program is designed to provide quality nursing care and therapy to patients who need more time to heal after an acute hospital stay. Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center is a Critical Access Hospital with a 24-hour Level V Emergency Room Care and basic EMS Ambulance Services.