The Skilled Rehabilitation Program, more commonly referred to as “Swing Bed”, is a great service offered by Pocahontas Memorial Hospital that many folks are unaware of. Swing Bed is a skilled nursing program that you can be admitted to after any qualifying illness or surgery to receive rehabilitation therapy or special medical treatments. PMH offers physical, occupational, or respiratory therapies. Treatments would include wound care or IV antibiotics.

Patients may qualify if they have been in a hospital on acute care for three days and require further skilled services. For example, a person may be hospitalized with congestive heart failure or pneumonia and need additional care because they are weak or debilitated. They could then transfer into the Swing Bed program. Or, maybe you have joint replacement or surgery done at a hospital away from here and need additional physical therapy and recovery. Rather than stay at that particular hospital, you can request to be transferred to PMH for the very same services. On average, a patient is enrolled in the program for three to six weeks.

The best part is: Medicare will pay 100% of the cost for the first 20 days of service. After 20 days, the patient must pay a co-pay, which secondary insurance will often cover.

Pocahontas Memorial Hospital has a dedicated and caring staff ready to carry out a comprehensive plan of care for each individual patient that includes dietary, case management, and other activities, as well as physical, occupational, or respiratory therapies as needed. If you have any questions about this program, please contact Edwina Garber at 304-799-7400 ext 1081.