Skilled Nursing/Swing Bed

Swing Bed programs allow short-term skilled nursing care to be provided in an acute care hospital. Pulaski Memorial Hospital’s Swing Bed program is for patients who no longer need acute care and are working toward returning home.

The Swing Bed program is rehabilitative in nature, and you must require skilled therapy and/or skilled nursing services.

Admission Criteria

A physician who is a member of the Medical Staff here at the hospital accepts your admission to the Swing Bed Program.

Criteria required to process your admission:

• Your physician must certify that you require skilled level of care.
• Your condition must be rehabilitative in nature
• You must show reasonable signs of improvement with skilled intervention.
• To be eligible for Medicare coverage for a skilled stay, you must have occupied an acute (hospital) bed for at least three consecutive days, not including the day of discharge, within the last 30 days.
• You will need a history and physical examination in the last five days.
• Results of a chest x-ray showing you are free of TB.
• Admission criteria must be related to the admitting diagnosis for your acute care stay.
• An admission agreement will be required prior to admission.

Additionally, staff will interview you to discuss your skilled needs, requests, and goals, including your discharge plans. If you have an advance directive, the hospital will need a copy to place on your medical record.

Acceptance into the Swing Bed Program will only occur if the hospital has the facilities and staff to meet your needs.

Exclusions for admission to Swing Bed would include those services beyond the scope of services at Pulaski Memorial Hospital.

Skilled Nursing Services Include:

• In-depth assessments and care planning
• Postoperative care and monitoring
• Pain management
• Injections
• Intravenous therapy (IV)
• Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
• Tube feeding
• Antibiotics
• Wound care
• Rehabilitation
• Patient education and training

The Bridge Home

This program focuses on the unique needs of our patients, covering a wide variety of diagnoses. The Bridge Home offers an extended hospital stay for your and your family’s convenience. An important component of this program is the Bridge Home Ticket. This helps you, your family, and your healthcare team members meet the goals crucial to a speedy recovery and a timely discharge.

Some Services You May Need To Include:

• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Therapy

For more information about Swing Bed eligibility, please call 574-946-2596.