What is Swing Bed?
When a patient’s condition no longer requires acute care, but they’re not ready to go home or to another care setting, they may be eligible for our swing bed program. The term “swing bed” is used to describe when physicians “swing” patients from one type of inpatient care to another. For our patients’ convenience, if their status changes from acute care to swing bed, they remain in the same room.
Changing to swing bed status but staying in the same room has many benefits, including:
- More recovery time following an illness or surgery
- Less expensive care than acute hospitalization
- Helping to keep patients oriented to their surroundings and staff/personnel
- Reducing the possibility of lost items
- Reducing the confusion of relocation for family and friends
We design our program around each individual’s needs to help them reach their highest potential for health and independence prior to returning home.
Who is eligible for swing bed?
Swing bed is available to patients who have been hospitalized at an Amberwell location or at other facilities outside Amberwell Health. Participation in Medicare Part A or other qualified insurance plan is also a requirement for the swing bed program.
Admission Requirements
- A consecutive, 3-day, acute care stay within 30 days of admission to swing bed
- Stable medical status and provider authorization
- Daily skilled care needed (or five days per week for rehab)
Who might need swing bed services?
Swing bed is ideal for patients who require:
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapies
- Specialized wound care
- IV therapy
- Stroke rehabilitation
- Generalized weakness due to chronic conditions, such as CHF, COPD, or pneumonia
- Post-surgical recovery
- Respiratory care
- Pain management
- Cognitive training
- Safety and mobility training
What can I expect from swing bed?
Patients participating in swing bed can expect to:
- Gain independence in self-care (getting dressed, grooming, bathing, toileting, etc.)
- Actively participate in therapy sessions
- Walk and move with nursing staff
- Sit in a chair for all meals
- Gradually spend more time out of bed and doing normal daily activities
- Participate in a personalized activity plan
We design our program around each individual’s needs to help them reach their highest potential for health and independence prior to returning home.
Swing Bed Services
NURSING
Provides recovery care, pain management, and
education.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Provides injury rehabilitation and helps patients build
strength to prevent falls and gain movement, balance
and flexibility.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Focuses on daily living skills that may include dressing
and bathing.
RESPIRATORY THERAPY
Provides respiratory care and education about oxygen use.
NUTRITION SERVICES
Offers nutritional education and support.
SPEECH THERAPY
Helps with communication skills, reading and safe swallowing.
PHARMACY
Works with medical team to meet patient medication needs.
SOCIAL SERVICES
Helps patients and families find additional services and resources for further education and provide assistance with discharge planning and advance healthcare directives.
Your Care Team
- Physician/hospitalist
- Social services
- Case manager
- Physical therapist
- Occupational therapist
- Speech therapist*
- Nurses
- Dietician
- Pharmacist
- Respiratory therapist*
*as needed
Contact Us
Amberwell Atchison
SWING BED COORDINATOR
Morgan Kane, PTA, WCC
mkane@amberwellhealth.org
913-360-5301
CASE MANAGER/UTILIZATION REVIEW COORDINATOR
Cheryl Vanwey, BSN
cvanwey@amberwellhealth.org
(913) 360-5302
SOCIAL SERVICES
Katie South, LMSW
ksouth@amberwellhealth.org
(913) 360-5301
Amberwell Hiawatha
SWING BED COORDINATOR/CASE MANAGER
Rebecca McCoy, RN
rmccoy@amberwellhealth.org
(785) 742-6230
UTILIZATION REVIEW COORDINATOR
Ann Lierz
alierz@amberwellhealth.org
(785) 742-6388
