Department Contact: Betsy Isakson, Medicare Coordinator Phone: (406) 654-5038
Phillips County Hospital’s Swing Bed program is a healthcare option that provides skilled care for those patients who no longer require acute care hospitalization, but are still in need of certain skilled services for a short period of time. At the direction of a patient’s provider, we provide the skilled services patients may need in a hospital setting.
WHAT IS SWING BED?
Swing bed is a program that provides skilled services. If you are already a patient of Phillips County Hospital or any other acute care facility, the program allows your provider to “swing” your level of care from “acute” to “skilled” and you will be transferred to Phillips County Hospital for your Swing Bed care. Our 6 facility beds are certified for skilled care.
WHO NEEDS SWING BED?
Swing Bed is a program that provides skilled service when a patient is hospitalized and reaches a point where acute care is no longer necessary but the patient is physically unable to go home. Swing bed allows the patient to receive the therapy they need while in the hospital as an inpatient to become stronger before being discharge home or moving into a long term healthcare setting.
Examples would be recovery after a stroke or major accident, pain management, wounds that will not heal, or recovery from major surgery such as a joint replacement.
WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE SWING BED PROGRAM?
Patients who qualify for Swing Bed must meet the following requirements:
- Must have Medicare or prior approval from other insurances
- Must have a medical need which qualifies the patient for skilled service
- Medical conditions must be stable
- Must have skilled benefits available
- Medicare patients must have at least a three-day consecutive acute care stay before going on the Swing Bed program.
BENEFITS OF UTILIZING OUR SWING BED SERVICES
- Patients have more time to recover and gain strength before leaving the hospital.
- Daily therapy is centered on self-care skills and body strengthening, increasing a patient’s independence upon discharge.
- Patients have continued access to his or her provider and the hospitals services.
FOR MORE INFORMATION