Skilled Nursing Care

As a critical access hospital, Samaritan Hospital is authorized by Medicare to provide skilled nursing care services.  In many cases, patients are not ready to return home after a hospital stay. They need more time to strengthen and heal before they can step back into the routine of independent living.

Samaritan can provide patients short-term rehabilitative therapy. The program's qualified caregivers ease the transition from acute hospital care to home or other residential living arrangements.

Skilled Nursing Care Patients may need:

• Rehabilitation services such as physical, occupational, speech, and/or respiratory therapy.
• Regain strength and mobility.
• Receive IV medications or antibiotic therapy.
• Continued wound care.

Patient Centered Care

The program offers the benefits of Samaritan's highly skilled health care professionals.  A written plan of care helps each patient achieve and maintain an optimum level of independent functioning.

The Swing Bed team includes:

• The patient's physician or a hospitalist.
• Nurses and CNA’s.
• Social services.
• Case manager.
• Dietitian.
• Physical, occupational, speech or respiratory therapists.

The Patient's and Family's Roles

Patients play an active role in their care. They are encouraged to wear everyday clothes as they complete therapy and participate in activities and exercises designed to help them return home.  Guided by the caring staff, patients practice skills of daily living: eating, dressing, grooming and personal hygiene. The team encourages families to visit  and bring books, games and hobbies their loved ones enjoy. Discharge planning is an integral part of the skilled nursing care plan.  Patient’s families are welcome to attend the weekly planning meetings.

Payment

Medicare Part A pays for swing bed, or medicare skilled nursing services, and some private insurance policies pay after verification for skilled care. Health insurance policies differ, so our case management team is available to verify coverage.