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Swing Bed Services

When you or your loved one needs short-term, skilled healthcare services, Wiregrass Medical Center's Swing Bed program may be able to provide the care you need right in the hospital.

What is a Swing Bed?

A swing bed is a Medicare program that allows patients to received skilled care services at Wiregrass Medical Center once acute hospital care is no longer required, but the patient continues to need services that cannot be easily provided in the patient's home. The program is designed to assist patients in reaching their highest potential for health and independence prior to returning to their home.

What Services Are Included?

The program is ideal for patients who require skilled physical therapy, IV medication therapy, wound care, or other skilled care services.

How Long Can I Stay?

The Swing Bed program is considered short-term. The average length of stay is generally one to two weeks. For stays longer than 40 days, the services of a long-term care facility may be more appropriate.

Who is Eligible?

A swing bed is available to patients who have been hospitalized at Wiregrass Medical Center, or at other facilities. Swing Bed admission requires:

a) A 3-day acute care hospital stay within the last 30 days prior to admittance into the Swing Bed program.

b) Stable medical status.

c) A daily skilled care need (or five days per week for Rehabilitation,) which is directly related to the acute care hospitalization.

d) Physician authorization.

e) Participation in Medicare Part A or other qualified insurance plan.

Once a patient is admitted into the Swing Bed program, eligibility is reviewed on a daily basis by the Wiregrass Medical Center staff. To remain in the program, the patient must be participating and making progress, in addition to the criteria listed above.

HIPAA Requirements While Wiregrass Medical Center can accept Swing Bed patients from other acute care facilities; we cannot always explain an admission decision. Due to HIPAA requirements, explanation of a patient's eligibility status may only be given by the patient's current acute care facility.

If you are interested in receiving additional information about Wiregrass Medical Center's Swing Bed program, please call (334) 684-3655 and speak with Sara DeRouen, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at X-5117 or Natalie Johnson, RN, Clinical Resource Manager at X-6751.