Swing Bed is a program designed to provide additional inpatient care to those needing extra time to heal or strengthen before returning home.
The term Swing Bed came from the idea that the patient will “swing”, or transition, from inpatient acute care through the program to return home to the same level of independence prior to entering the hospital.
Examples include:
- Knee Replacement
- Hip Replacement
- Stroke
- Heart Attack
- Rehab after major surgery or trauma
- Pain Management
- Wound Care
Who qualifies for Swing Bed?
- Patients must need on-going monitoring or require rehabilitative therapy.
- There are no age restrictions.
- Swing Bed is routinely considered for patients who have had hip or knee surgery and need additional therapy before returning home.
Benefits of Swing Bed
- Patients can usually wear their own clothes (unless medically inappropriate)
- If approved by the physician, the patient can leave the facility for short periods of time
- Activities Director will meet with patient and family to identify interests and help provide diversional activities
- Doctor visits are less frequent unless requested by a nurse or care plan
Swing Bed Referral Process
Referrals to Swing Bed come from the attending physician once it has been determined that the patient no longer requires acute care level of services, but will still have a skilled medical reason to stay in the hospital setting.
The Swing Bed case manager reviews medical records and confers with therapy staff and the patient’s nurses to determine the skill need.
For out-of-hospital referrals, the case manager makes a decision about the patient’s skill level based on information from the referring facility.
Payment
Medicare and private insurance pay for skilled Swing Bed services. To qualify for Medicare admission to Recovery Care, the patient must have had an acute hospital stay of at least three days.
For insurance patients, authorization for skilled Swing Bed must be obtained from the insurance carrier prior to admission. After admission, the case manager will be in communication with the insurance carrier about the length of stay covered.
For private pay patients, the patient or patient’s representative agrees to pay full charges following discharge from the Swing Bed program.
Why Johnson Memorial Health Services
Located in Dawson, MN Johnson Memorial provides Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapies as well as Skilled Nursing, Social Services, Dietary Consultation, and Patient/Family Education.
Our facilities are connected with the local care center providing additional activities for our patients. For more information please contact Kelly Nurmi at 320-312-2143.
