Your Step Between Hospital & Home – Swing Bed Program
You need something that’s a step in between, a program with some care and rehabilitation services that allows you to slowly regain your own independence. The Swing Bed Program at Culbertson Memorial Hospital serves patients with conditions such as hip or knee replacements, stroke, pneumonia, post-surgical procedures and extended IV therapy.
What is a ‘swing bed’?
This transitional care program allows a patient to transition from an acute care setting to the Swing Bed Program. In this program, the patient will receive skilled nursing and rehabilitation services to gain strength and independence. You might not stay in the same bed in the same room.
How is this different from a regular hospital stay?
Swing Bed patients still receive hospital meals and assistance, but the level of care is different. A patient doesn’t need more the intensive care involved with full-on hospitalization but are not yet ready to go home and take care of themselves. Culbertson nurses may give assistance with daily self-care and may even teach the patient to care for their own medical needs. Nurses and staff will work with you and decrease (or increase) the level of care as your recovery continues.
What if I have a setback?
If something happens that requires traditional hospitalization, the patient can “swing” back to it. The program’s flexibility allows an individual to have the right level of care at all times. That care might include physical, speech and occupational therapy, IV medications, wound management, new ostomy or stoma care and education, among others.
What if I had treatment at another facility and now need the Swing Bed Program?
If you or a loved one still needs short-term skilled nursing care or rehabilitation services before returning home from another facility, ask your discharge planner to contact Melinda Murk, Patient Care Coordinator, at 217-322-4321 ext. 5378. Your referral will be reviewed to see if you meet criteria for admission.