Photo of a woman in green scrubs holding the hand of an elderly woman in a wheelchair, both are smiling

Swing Bed and Skilled Nursing Services

Contact Swing Bed Coordinator:

Phone: 432-208-2446
Fax: 432-299-3522

At MCHD, we understand there are times when a patient no longer needs the inpatient care they received when first admitted to the hospital, but may not be strong enough to return home. For those patients, we offer skilled nursing services in a program called “swing bed.”

The term "swing bed" means an acute care bed can "swing" to the less-intense needs of a skilled nursing or convalescent bed where physical therapy, long term IV antibiotic therapy, and wound care can be provided.

With a home-away-from-home atmosphere and one-on-one treatment, our Swing Bed program is care specifically designed to help patients recover closer to home.

Our Swing Bed/Skilled Nursing program is federally approved for this special care.

Swing Bed Requirements

Patients hospitalized at MCHD or another hospital may qualify for extended care services at MCHD if:
Your swing bed/skilled nursing care is related to an acute hospital stay.
Your doctor has determined a need for daily skilled care such a physical therapy, IV therapy, or wound care.
You have been hospitalized as an "acute care inpatient" (not as an "observation patient") for a minimum of three consecutive midnights within the past 30 days.
You were hospitalized at any facility for three midnights as an inpatient in acute care.
You have Medicare Part A or other insurance coverage with hospital based, skilled-care benefits and days available for skilled care.

Swing Bed Services Provided

Nursing Services - Including assessments, teaching, and education.

Cardiovascular interventions – includes assessments and teaching/education
Hematological interventions – administer/teach IM @ SQ injections; collect, monitor, and report lab values
Endocrine interventions – all aspects of diabetic care
GI/GU Interventions – bowel/bladder training; Foley/catheter and ostomy care
Nutritional interventions – tube feeding/diet instructions
Wound Care – surgical aftercare, wound care
IV interventions – infusion of IV medications
Musculoskeletal interventions – pain management; care for decreased mobility

Physical Therapy

Core and lower extremity strengthening
Gait and transfer training to improve mobility
Balance training to decrease risk for falls at home
Manual therapy for pain relief
Modalities as needed

Occupational Therapy

Hand and upper body/core strengthening
Activities of daily living re-training to promote independence with self-care tasks
Home environment assessment/modifications as needed
Modalities as needed

Speech Therapy

Swallowing/dysphagia therapy
Speech and language therapy
Address issues with problem solving, memory/attention, and reasoning
Cognitive therapy
Social communication

Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapy based on availability.

Who Can Benefit From the Swing Bed Program?

Patients who need rehabilitation after orthopedic surgery, such as joint replacements.
Patient with acute neurological conditions, such as stroke, traumatic brain, or spinal cord injury.
Patients needing to regain strength and mobility after illness, injury, or other surgery.
Patients needing post-surgical aftercare: wound care, ostomy care, or IV therapy.

Insurance

Medicare and most commercial insurances cover swing bed programs as well as the skilled nursing services. The services are usually covered under the "Skilled Nursing Facility" benefit category. The first 20 days are covered 100 percent under Medicare, and the remaining eligible days are covered up to 80 percent.

For additional information click here or call the hotline number above.