Swing-Bed Transitional Care Services

Pioneers Medical Center provides swing-bed transitional care services to patients recovering from acute care services. Swing bed services are an essential solution provided by rural hospitals such as PMC, allowing us to continue serving our community by maximizing existing resources and providing patient-centric transitional care services.

What Are Swing-Bed Transitional Care Services?

Rural hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals provide swing-bed services that allow patients to transition from acute care to skilled nursing facility care without leaving the hospital. This enables patients to receive essential treatments and services in the same location even after acute care is no longer required.

The purpose of swing-bed transitional care services is to:

• Allow patients to remain in one location without having to move between hospitals, nursing facilities, or travel back and forth between their home and the location of essential appointments for follow-up care
• Help patients transition from hospital care to recovering at home
• Increase Medicare patient access to this type of care in rural areas

To qualify for swing-bed care, you must:

• Have received acute hospital care for at least three consecutive days
• Have authorization from your physician
• Be stable and require daily skilled care or rehab that must be conducted five days a week
• Participate in Medicare Part A or another insurance plan that will cover the costs of swing-bed transitional care

You may be admitted into a swing-bed unit if your medical needs can’t be adequately addressed at home or in a long-term care facility, but your condition no longer requires an acute hospital stay. One of the primary benefits of swing-bed care is that you can continue receiving your essential treatments and rehabilitation care in a familiar hospital setting before you’re ready to return home or explore additional options to receive the follow-up care you need.

Medical Conditions Treated in a Swing-Bed Unit

Swing-bed care is provided to patients receiving treatment for a wide range of medical conditions requiring skilled nursing care and rehabilitation after they no longer need acute hospital care. Some of the most common conditions treated in a swing-bed unit include:

• Joint replacements
• Orthopedic injuries or surgeries
• Trauma-related injuries
• Deconditioning or weakness
• Stroke or other brain injuries
• Recent falls or balance deficits
• Infections or diseases requiring IV antibiotics
• Cardiac or respiratory conditions requiring conditioning
• Difficult wound healing
• Neuromuscular disorders

Swing-Bed Services Offered at Pioneers Medical Center

Swing-bed transitional care services at Pioneers Medical Center are available for patients who do not meet in-patient criteria but need additional services above what home health can provide. Swing-bed patients can participate in activities and have their meals in our long-term care facility to provide socialization and assist with getting them out of their rooms. We also try to accommodate patients by offering activities in their rooms.

Our swing-bed patients will have access to:

• Compassionate, bedside nursing care
• Excellent meal options, including daily specials (family members are welcome to visit and bring special food items from home)
• Socialization and activities
• Occupational and physical therapy

Raising the Bar for Healthcare on the Western Slope

Pioneers Medical Center provides comprehensive healthcare services to families in Meeker and throughout the White River Valley. Since opening our doors in 1950, we’ve developed a reputation as one of the premier medical facilities along the Western Slope of Colorado. Our team is committed to delivering the exceptional medical care you deserve while creating an amazing experience for our patients.

Our providers include some of the most highly regarded healthcare professionals along the Western Slope. We use the latest techniques and advanced technology to ensure you receive the quality treatment necessary to maintain optimal health.

Pioneers Medical Center was recently listed as one of the best hospitals for patient experience in the Western US. The list, compiled by the prestigious Becker’s Hospital Review, includes 27 facilities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. PMC was one of only six facilities in the entire state of Colorado and the only Critical Access Hospital in the state to be included on this list.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Pioneers Medical Center serves patients in Meeker and throughout the White River Valley.