Swing Bed Program

Swing bed, sometimes referred to as skilled care, is a Medicare program that provides extended care to those needing additional time to rebuild their strength following an acute illness or surgery. Although it is a Medicare program, many private insurance companies also cover this type of care. The idea of the patient "swinging" or transitioning from acute care into the program is how it got its name. The Swing Bed Program at CMH offers around the clock care for patients transitioning between a hospital stay and discharge to home. The program admits eligible Medicare and private insurance patients with prior authorization. To be eligible patients must need skilled nursing or rehabilitative services performed by or under the supervision of professional or technical personnel on a daily basis and must have had a three day qualifying stay in an acute care setting in the past 30 days. Some examples of skilled services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, care of wounds and ulcers, terminal care for patients needing pain control or skilled supportive care, IV therapies, and nutritional stabilization.

Patients in our Swing Bed Program stay on the medical wing and may not even move to a different room. The same staff that cared for them during the acute phases of their illness or recovery will continue caring for them as a swing bed patient. Even if the patient had surgery or was hospitalized elsewhere, they can transfer from that facility to CMH to receive their swing bed care. The CMH Swing Bed Program provides the care needed close to home in preparation to return home. Patients in the program continue to be seen by their physician who works with the healthcare team to determine their needs. The CMH Care Plan Team meets on Tuesdays at 11:30 AM in the patient's room and encourages family members or friends to attend according to the patient's wishes.

The goal of the CMH Swing Bed Program is to assist the patient in becoming as independent as possible for transition to home, assisted living, or long-term care. For that reason, swing bed patients are encouraged to dress in street clothes, eat meals out of bed, and participate in daily therapy rehabilitation and activities.

There's no place like home. Let the CMH Swing Bed Program help you get there. To find out more about our program, please contact our Swing Bed Coordinator, Janet White, RN, at 785-562-4350.