Transitional Care
At Community Hospital of Staunton, we offer Transitional Care Management (TCM) services to support patients during the crucial hand-off from hospital to home. This program helps manage medical crises, new diagnoses, or changes in medication therapy, ensuring a smooth transition and continued support.
Transitional Care Management Services
At Community Hospital of Staunton, we recognize that transitioning from acute hospital care to home can be challenging, especially when you need extra support to regain your strength. That’s why we offer our transitional care program, also known as “swing bed care.” This specialized service provides a comforting bridge between hospital care and home, accommodating patients who no longer need intensive hospital treatment but require additional care.
With a focus on high-quality rehabilitative therapies, attentive nursing care, and expert medical supervision, our swing bed care ensures you build the strength, functionality, and confidence needed to return home safely.
Transitional Medical Care at Community Hospital of Staunton
Our transitional care program provides personalized, in-hospital care and comprehensive physical rehabilitation tailored to help you achieve your highest level of functioning. This program is specifically designed for those who need extra support that cannot be provided at home or in a long-term care facility.
The length of stay in our transitional care program varies based on each patient’s medical needs and progress. Typically, stays range from 7 to 14 days, depending on the level of care required and the patient’s rate of improvement. Discharge occurs when the physician determines that the patient has reached a stable condition and can transition safely.
What Is a Hospital Swing Bed?
The Social Security Act allows select small, rural hospitals, like Community Hospital of Staunton, to enter into a swing bed agreement, enabling them to use their beds flexibly for either acute care or skilled nursing facility (SNF) care as needed. Our swing bed care is intended as a temporary measure, offering ongoing support until the patient is ready to return home or is transferred to another healthcare facility.
Who Qualifies for Swing Bed Care?
Swing bed care is ideal for patients who need additional support during their recovery, such as:
Post-Orthopedic Surgery: Individuals recovering from major surgeries like hip or knee replacements.
Fracture Recovery: Patients who have sustained significant fractures.
Neurological Rehabilitation: Those recovering from strokes or other neurological disorders.
Acute Illness Recovery: Patients whose acute illness has left them weakened and in need of rehabilitation to regain their strength and functionality.
Medicare and most insurance plans generally cover swing bed care under the skilled nursing facility benefit. Eligibility criteria include:
Hospitalization Requirement: Patients must have been admitted as acute care inpatients (not under observation) for at least three consecutive midnights within the past 30 days.
Admission Flexibility: Patients can be admitted from any hospital, including ours, after meeting the inpatient requirement.
Physician Referral: A referral from a physician is required. Patients or their families can request a referral from the social worker or discharge planner to our Transitional Care Program.
Contact the Transitional Care Department
For more information about our transition care program, please contact our Case Management Department at 618.635.2200.