Skilled Nursing Care
Patients recovering from illness, injury or surgery may need skilled nursing services at the time of discharge from an inpatient stay, but before going home. The swing bed program at Dukes Memorial Hospital helps patients continue recovery, achieve greater independence and transition from hospital to home through:
- Individualized care plans
- Medical oversight by a board-certified internal medicine specialist
- 24/7 registered nursing care
- IV therapy
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy
- Respiratory therapy
- Post-joint replacement therapy
- Daily activities
- Lab and radiology services as needed
- Discharge planning and social services
Dukes Memorial Hospital's swing bed program is open to patients being discharged from any acute care hospital. This means patients receiving inpatient care at another hospital can choose an extended care option closer to home and family and receive the skilled care needed - without being sent to a skilled nursing facility.
What Patients Can Expect
- A family-oriented atmosphere
- Dressing in comfortable clothes from home
- Nursing care
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy as prescribed
- A variety of daily activities
- Visits with family and friends
Swing Bed Admission Criteria
- Three-night qualifying hospital stay (not including observation days) within the past 30 days
- Admission directly related to hospital stay
- Daily skilled care recommended by patient's physician; may include therapies or other specified care
Swing bed programs are typically covered by Medicare Part A and many insurance providers as part of skilled nursing facility benefits. A case manager can help determine coverage prior to admission.
Need additional information? Call the case manager at (765) 472-8019.