Excelsior Springs Hospital’s Swing Bed Program Provides Seamless Care

When a loved one undergoes surgery and requires weeks of therapy to recover, finding the right care can be a daunting task. Tina Cook, the Community Education Coordinator at Excelsior Springs Hospital, recently sat down with the Excelsior Citizen to shed light on the importance of swing bed programs in such situations.

Cook explained that swing bed programs are a crucial resource for individuals in need of post-surgical or skilled nursing care. These programs offer continuity of care and the ability to receive rehabilitation services without the need to transfer to a different facility.

One key factor in accessing swing bed programs is Medicare eligibility. Cook points out that Medicare covers skilled nursing facility (SNF) level care for those who meet specific criteria, such as needing IV therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or wound therapy. It’s not limited to seniors; some individuals with disabilities may also qualify.

In rural areas like Excelsior Springs, finding SNF facilities can be challenging, but luckily, the state of Missouri initiated the Swing Bed Program. This program allows qualified critical access rural hospitals the ability to convert acute care beds into swing beds without physically moving patients. Patients receive the same level of care but benefit from Medicare SNF coverage.

Cook highlights the significance of the “three-midnight qualifying stay” rule for Medicare benefits. Patients must spend at least three consecutive midnights in an acute care hospital to activate their Medicare SNF benefit. This requirement often leads doctors and hospitals to advocate for an extra night’s stay when necessary.

While the patient’s experience remains relatively unchanged on the front end, the hospital’s back-end processes change significantly. Documentation, compliance with regulations, and quality of care become paramount to ensure patients meet Medicare’s requirements for SNF-level care.

Cook emphasized the benefits of swing bed programs, such as personalized care due to lower patient-to-staff ratios compared to traditional nursing homes. Swing bed programs typically last only a few weeks, with a maximum limit set by most hospitals, typically around 40 days.

For individuals considering swing bed programs, Cook recommends contacting the hospital’s case manager or utilization review nurse, who can help coordinate admissions. Even patients from other hospitals can be referred for swing bed services at Excelsior Springs Hospital.

Swing bed programs play a vital role in bridging the gap between acute care and long-term recovery, offering patients continuity of care and essential rehabilitation services without the need for multiple transfers. Excelsior Springs Hospital’s Swing Bed Program serves as a good example of the positive impact these programs can have on patients’ lives.