what is a swing bed

A swing bed is a term used to describe a hospital room that can switch from in-patient acute care status to skilled care status. It is a service that rural hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) with a Medicare provider agreement provide that allows a patient to transition from acute hospital care to post-acute swing bed care. Swing bed facilities are incorporated into the SNF protected payment system and will cover all costs associated with care under Medicare Part A. However, the patient must meet certain criteria, including requiring acute hospital care for at least three consecutive days before SNF care in a swing bed is an option, being stable, requiring daily skilled care or rehab that is required five days a week, and participating in Medicare Part A or another insurance plan that will cover the costs of swing-bed care. Swing bed care is not meant to be a permanent care solution, and hospital policies limit the amount of time that can be spent on-location in a swing bed. Swing bed care can provide a complete range of skilled nursing care services that include, but are not limited to, physical therapy, occupational therapy, IV medication therapy, monitoring of vital signs, wound care, and speech therapy. The goal of swing bed care is to help the patient return to their home independently or with the help of other community resources such as home health care, Lifeline, or outpatient therapy.