Kickoff Webinar - June 23, 2021 | 2 pm EST

The case for swing beds.

Swing Beds are increasingly important in the financial health of  rural hospitals, particularly as acute admissions reduce and/or are helping meet the DRG or CAH 96-hour rules. Not only do they supplement reimbursement, but they produce more efficiencies in controlling cost. One clear example is with nurse staffing. As acute census fluctuates, there are increasing examples of nurse call-offs during a time when rural hospitals have critical nursing shortages. Swing Beds utilize acute nursing staff during a time when acute admissions are fewer; and, because the average length of stay is normally a week or more, these post-acute beds provide stabilization of nursing staff 24/7. Other examples might include ancillary services needing stabilization and cost absorption. Rural hospitals may staff for respiratory therapy 24/7 but are not necessarily utilizing staff time making the RT cost spread over multiple settings (acute, ED, swing bed). Other services, such as lab and radiology. also have  an opportunity for better utilization. Swing Beds can also feed hospital outpatient services, such as therapy, wound care, respiratory, or lab.

From swing bed... to better coordinated care.

In the HomeTown Health 2021-2022 "Advancing Community Coordination" Program,  a combination of webinars, workshops, baseline evaluations, and optional one-on-one virtual and onsite facility planning sessions will be utilized to build on the opportunities presented to rural hospitals with swing bed programs by moving into a thoroughly planned effort of community coordination. Rural hospitals, who prioritize care coordination, can  provide stable patient support as staff follows  the patient through a myriad of available services. A swing bed patient provides  the impetus to stabilize not only hospital services, but establishing services needed within the community using a coordinated approach. These services vary by community but can include Rural Health Clinics, Telehealth/Telemedicine, Physician practices, Home Health, and all outpatient services. Further, it can lead to community coordination of other necessary planning for transitions of care, reduction in rehospitalizations, transportation, elder care/community support services, and other residential settings.

Who should participate?

Hospital Administration/C-Suite with Swing Bed Programs or Nursing Homes, Nursing Home Administrators, DONs, Swing Bed Coordinators, MDS Coordinators, Coding/Billing Leadership, Ancillary Leadership (Lab, Radiology, etc.), and Medicare/Charge Nurses, are encouraged to participate in this important training.