In-Patient Services
Swing Bed Program
What is Swing Bed?
Sometimes you need just a little more time. LMC’s Swing Bed program offers the transitional care many patients need before they are discharged from the hospital. A patient being treated for an acute condition could remain in the hospital for follow-up long-term care rather than being discharged to another setting, such as a nursing home.
LMC’s swing bed program blends skilled nursing and rehabilitation in a caring, personalized setting to help patient’s recover and gain strength to return home.
Swing bed programs were designed by the government to allow patients to “swing”, or move from an acute level of care to a skilled rehabilitation level of care, but remain in a hospital setting. The patient usually stays in the same bed.
How do I get admitted?
In addition to a physician referral, you will need to have been in an acute care hospital for at least three nights before being transferred to the Swing Bed program.
If you have been discharged to home from a hospital, but are having difficulties recovering, you can still be admitted into the program. You must have stayed in the hospital for at least three
consecutive nights within the last 30 days.
Speak with your physician or case manager, who will refer you to our program. Once a referral is sent, our Swing Bed coordinator will visit you and your family members and conduct an assessment to ensure you will benefit from our program.
What about insurance?
The Swing Bed program is often covered by Medicare as well as many private insurance plans.
Who qualifies?
Swing Bed is an extended care option when a patient has recovered from an illness or injury and no longer needs acute hospitalization, but they are not able to go home yet.
Some types of patients could be:
· Recovering from joint replacement or other types of surgery
· Recovering from stroke, cardiac or respiratory illnesses, or other medical conditions
· Have wounds that t can’t be treated at home or in an outpatient setting.
Other services available:
Skilled nursing
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Speech therapy
Respiratory therapy
IV therapy
Wound care
Case management
Nutritional counseling
Patient and family education
How long can I stay in the Swing Bed program?
You can remain in the program as long as you have therapy and rehabilitation goals to meet. Once you have reached your goals, some patients are able to return home and some patients may need to explore additional care options. LMC’s case manager will provide recommendations for future care when necessary.
A day in Swing Bed.
Since each individual is unique, your treatment plan will be tailored to your needs and goals.
During the day, you will receive therapy and treatment based on your condition and recovery goals. Similar to the hospital, you’ll receive around-the-clock nursing care which is overseen by your primary care physician.
When you are not in therapy, you can spend time visiting with family and friends, playing cards or board games or just relaxing.
We want you to be as comfortable as possible, so plan to bring comfortable clothing to wear each day. We encourage you to personalize your room.
We encourage the patient’s family to play an active role in their recovery. Family and friends are
encouraged to visit their loved ones. For those unable to visit, you can send your well wishes with an On-line Greeting Card that we can deliver for you.