Swing Bed Skilled Care; A safe option during the winter

Swing bed skilled care is available for many patients following hospitalizations. With the growing number of Medicare patients electing to have total joint replacement surgery, Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) is seeing more Medicare patients choose the swing bed skilled care option with great results. This is an especially helpful way to stay safe during the snow and ice of the winter months.

Patients can chose to remain hospitalized on a swing bed/skilled level of care instead of being discharged directly to their home and needing 24 hour a day care. The patient can choose to stay and receive that type of care right in the hospital without wearing out their spouse or caregiver.

Medications are given, pain is controlled and most importantly, the patient qualifies for more rehabilitation than if they are discharged directly to their home. All skilled level patients are taken to their therapy sessions twice per day, Monday through Friday. Patients who are discharged directly home only receive therapy three times per week, plus the caregiver has to load them up and bring them in for therapy each time. In the winter months, that can be dangerous for the patient and icy roads may even delay the much needed therapy for proper rehabilitation.

Skilled care is readily available to most Medicare patients if they require rehabilitation services and have a qualifying acute care stay in the hospital of three days or more. The “swing” in care from acute to a skilled level of care allows them to remain in the hospital until they are feeling more able to take care of themselves at home.

“We see the skilled level patients accelerate in their recovery much faster than the patients who elect to go home right away,” states Amy Robinson, Rehabilitation Director at Veterans Memorial Hospital. “Having therapy twice a day instead of just 3 times per week really helps them advance in their recovery and allows them to be much more independent and safe in their own home.”

Dona Peck of Postville was offered to continue her stay at Veterans Memorial Hospital earlier this year on swing bed skilled care to help her recover and grow stronger before returning home, and she states, she is so thankful she did.

“I needed to rebuild my strength and my diet before going back home so Dr. Schwartz suggested I stay in the hospital in swing bed skilled care for therapy so I could get stronger. I had heard the term ‘swing bed,’ but didn’t know what the difference was from a regular bed, but it is a wonderful service,” explains Dona.  “All the medical staff from doctors to nurses, to C.N.A.s to dietitians, to rehabilitation staff all listen to what you say and are ready to help with whatever it is. The swing bed covers all you will need to know to handle your own care when you do get home. That takes a big load off your shoulders.”

Dona adds, “I would encourage anyone offered a swing bed to take advantage of it. It is a step in the right direction and gives you confidence. This hospital is just fantastic! I cannot say enough about the family atmosphere, the great care, excellent meals and cleanliness.”

Even patients who have a surgery or hospitalization at another health care facility can  still qualify to return to Veterans Memorial Hospital for the advantages of skilled care. Veterans Memorial Hospital encourages patients to ask their providers if swing bed skilled care could be an option and to call Tatum Iverson, Social Worker at Veterans Memorial Hospital for help.