Swing Bed - Transitional Care

Sometimes during a hospital stay, a patient reaches a point when acute medical care is no longer needed. The patient needs more time to strengthen and heal before they can take that step back into their independent living routine. Patients meeting certain criteria can remain in the hospital as swing bed patients as long as medically necessary to aid their recovery and prepare for discharge. That criteria includes a three overnight stay in an acute facility, plus one of the following:

• Physical, Occupational, Speech Therapy
• IV Antibiotics
• IV Therapies
• Palliative Care
• Wound Care

Individualized activities are assessed for each swing bed patient. Favorite pastimes, interests, and hobbies are taken into account when planning activities.

How do I Pay for it?

Many private insurance companies cover this type of insurance. Our case manager will assist in contacting your insurance provider. Our swing bed program accepts traditional Medicare, managed Medicare & traditional insurance (swing bed benefits).

How do I Arrange a Stay?

Anyone can contact SGCMH regarding our swing bed program. Patients who are at another facility should request that the case management or social services department contact our swing bed coordinator to arrange a stay. Once we have received the referral, our team will review your medical record to see if you qualify.

How Long Would I Stay?

The healthcare team (which includes nurse, social worker, utilization management, dietician, therapists, and physician) taking care of the patient huddle every day and assess the patient’s progress every day. Depending how the patient progresses, depends how long the patient stays. Average length of stay is 10 days.

Benefits of the SGCMH Swing Bed Program Include:

• You can stay close to home to recover from your illness or surgery in a safe environment
• Access to a skilled healthcare team
• 24 hour access to lab, physician, imaging, pharmacy and respiratory support
• Low patient to nurse ratio
• Private rooms
• Daily physician rounding
• Quality care to keep you home after you are discharged
• Healthcare is adjusted to meet your medical needs during your recovery to get you back home in a timely manner.


After my Stay?

After a swing bed stay, some patients may need additional care to adjust to living at home again. SGCMH home health can provide in home care to complete the recovery and transition process. SGCMH management team can also help arrange other services to support the patient’s transition.