Swing Bed

“Swing Bed,” or skilled care, is a Medicare program developed to help rural hospitals provide continued local care. The term does not describe a bed that physically swings; it refers to a hospital bed that can transition from acute inpatient care to skilled post-acute care.

Patients treated for an acute condition may remain in the hospital for follow-up care when they are not yet ready to return home. The program can also provide short-term rehabilitation or strengthening as an alternative to transferring to a nursing home.

Patients may enter the program after hospitalization at Horton Community Hospital or transfer back to Horton Community Hospital following treatment at another facility.

Swing Bed Services

• Wound care
• IV therapy
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• 24-hour nursing care
• Pain management
• Extended recovery time