Swing Bed Program


The term “swing bed” is used by Medicare to describe a hospital room that can switch from acute care status to skilled care status, depending on the patient’s needed level of care. The actual bed/room does not change. The purpose of this Medicare program is to better serve the needs of smaller hospitals and communities.

Summersville Regional Medical Center’s Swing Bed Program is an alternative to prolonged hospitalization or short-term nursing facility placement for extended care after an acute illness, providing skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services. This could include intravenous (IV) therapy, as well as physical, occupational, or speech therapy.

Our personable and well-trained staff works diligently to get patients stronger and more independent, so that their transition home is as successful as possible. When that transition time comes, there are specialized personnel who will work with the healthcare team (including family and in-home services) to design a care plan.

Common diagnoses treated in this program include patients with extended IV therapy needs, orthopedic surgeries (such as hip or knee replacements), fractures, post-surgical procedures, neurological disorders (stroke), and generalized weakness due to congestive heart failure, COPD, pneumonia, and other chronic conditions.

The length of stay in a swing bed room is dependent upon individual patient needs and progress. The program is not intended for permanent placement, but provides for continued care until the patient returns home or transfers to a facility for longer-term care. Through this service, you can take advantage of all SRMC has to offer, without navigating a complicated network of physical and technical transfers before you are ready to settle back in at home.