Transitional Care Program
The Transitional Care Program is available for patients who may need more time to heal or strengthen before going home. Medicare also calls this program a “swing bed” program.
Patients may not need to see a doctor every day, but our nursing staff and therapists will provide the additional care they need. The program is staffed with experienced registered nurses 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and hospital-based doctors are on site every day to stay in touch with nurses and other care providers if necessary.
To qualify for the Transitional Care Program, patients must:
- Be willing to participate in medical and physical rehabilitation based on skilled care needs
- Have a stable medical status
- Have been an inpatient at Grant Memorial Hospital or another facility for three days
- Have Medicare Part A or other qualified insurance plan
- Need skilled nursing care or rehabilitation five days per week that is directly related to their prior hospital stay
The patient’s progress will be reviewed every day. The Swing Bed Team will talk to patients about their progress to determine if they need to stay in the program or if they are ready to go home. The team will conduct a follow-up call 24-72 hours after the patient goes home to see how they are doing.
Patients typically are in the program for one to two weeks. Some patients may be in the program for as long as 40 days. If patients need more than 40 days, the Swing Bed Team may talk to them and their family about a longer-term facility, such as a nursing home.
Treatments and Services
The Transitional Care Program offers a variety of on-site services that patients may need, including:
- Activities program
- Dietary services
- Intravenous medication therapy
- Laboratory
- Occupational therapy
- Pharmacy
- Physical therapy
- Respiratory therapy
- Speech therapy
- Wound care
- X-ray
More Information
If you are interested in receiving additional information about the Transitional Care Program at Grant Memorial Hospital, contact our Social Services Department at 304-257-1026, ext. 2562.