Group of The Swingbed Program with female Nurses at Holton Community Hospital in a patients room. There is an elderly man sitting next to a female on the edge of a swing bed holding a sign with pictures. The sign says: "We Miss You Harold"
Swingbed/Skilled Nursing

The Swingbed Program at Holton Community Hospital can help meet the health care needs of the community by providing continuity of care for those patients requiring extended care following an acute illness. In order to qualify for skilled benefits, standards must be met with respect to the diagnosis and treatment plan. These standards are set-forth by Medicare, Medicaid or the individual's insurance company. While on Swingbed, you will receive skilled nursing care and/or rehabilitation services by staff who treat, manage, observe and evaluate your care. Your care plan is determined based on a health assessment. Examples of skilled care include but are not limited to:
          * IV Injections
          * Complex wound care
          * 5 days per week physical or occupational therapies
          * Pain management
          * Comfort care
Skilled care is delivered on a daily basis and the services must be ones that are reasonable and necessary and can only be provided on inpatient basis. When your health condition is assessed, a care plan is developed by the staff members to help you reach your healthcare goals. Your care plan may include:
          * Skilled services ordered by the physician
          * Type of health care professional to give you the services
          * How often you will receive the services
          * What kind of equipment or supplies you need (i.e. wheelchair, oxygen, feeding tube)
          * Special diet needs
          * Individualized discharge plan
          * Health care goal(s) and how to attain those goal(s).

Our caring nurses and therapists, along with our highly-trained physicians and personnel will provide services based on your needs as you recover and return home. In addition, a social worker will assist you in discharge planning, community resources, paperwork and completion of Advance Directives and Durable Power of Attorney documents.


Qualifications for a Swingbed Stay:

For Medicare and/or Medicaid Enrollees:
Three (3) consecutive day stay in an acute care hospital within the last 30 days, excluding 23 hour observation stay.
Have skilled needs that are related to the condition which was treated or arose during the qualifying stay.
Physician and staff documentation to support the skilled needs.

Private Insured Enrollees:
Precertification from your insurance company to determine eligibility for Swingbed stay, for a predetermined time-period. Medicare beneficiaries are responsible for the co-insurance amount for the 21st through 100th day of a skilled nursing service.

For more details on requirements and eligibility contact our Swingbed Coordinator at 785-305-1862 or 785-364-9696.