Transitional Care at Union County Hospital
In 2014, Union County Hospital (UCH) announced the completion of their newly renovated therapy suite located in the first floor of the hospital. The renovation included a large dedicated therapy space, multiple pieces of new therapy equipment, a flat screen television, a therapeutic technology gaming system, and a variety of other new “activities of daily living” (ADL) devices. The completed project is now providing an excellent environment and great resource for the therapy staff to provide the highest quality of rehabilitation services to their community members admitted for acute inpatient care and to the hospital’s now reorganized swing bed program.
The Swing Bed Program provides a transitional care option in getting the patients from the hospital to home. The name can be misleading for some, but it only refers to how the stay is billed rather than a type of bed. After completion of an acute care three-night qualifying stay, Union County Hospital’s Joint Commission-certified program allows patients to rehabilitate in a hospital setting for an extended period of time while remaining close to home. This may include care after an acute stroke, after orthopedic type surgeries like a total joint replacement or fixation of a fracture, or after acute medical illness that required hospitalization. Patients receive around-the-clock care from the nursing staff. Based upon their individualized care plans, they can also receive therapy, laboratory, respiratory, radiology, and wound care services in one convenient, family-oriented atmosphere. The patient’s specialist will continue to remain involved in their care, with on-site consultations or visits to their office.
Following her second knee replacement surgery, Sandy Davis utilized the hospital’s Swing Bed Program. “I choose the Union County Hospital Swing Bed Program following my second knee replacement surgery because of the convenience,” stated Davis. “I knew I needed the intense therapy it would provide, but I didn’t want my family and friends to have to drive out of town every day to visit with me like they had to do with my previous surgery. I quickly discovered it was the best decision I could have made. The staff, nurses and therapists provided excellent care during my stay. I was treated like I was a part of their family.” Sandy also added, “When I discharged from the program, I knew I was ready to go home. I didn’t have to worry about being a burden on my family because I did not require assistance with my daily activities. The UCH Swing Bed Program helped me regain my independence more quickly following my surgery.”
The therapy suite and swing bed program enhances the hospital’s ability to meet the rehabilitation and medical needs of the community and provide them with the best therapy care that is truly close to home. Swing beds are covered by Medicare and most private insurances. For more information on the swing bed program, contact Mary Beth Smith, Director of Case Management, at 618-833-4511 extension 4477 or visit UnionCountyHospital.com/swingbed.