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SANDPOINT — Bonner General Health announced on Jan. 28 the launch of its new transitional care program.
Also known as the Swing Beds Program, it will allow patients to transition from acute care to skilled nursing care without leaving the hospital. The Swing Beds Program is “ideal” for patients recovering from surgeries, strokes or other conditions that require ongoing support including physical therapy, speech therapy and medication management, according to a press release.
“Our goal is to ensure that every patient receives the care and support they need right here at home,” chief nursing officer Becki Dotson said in the press release.
By keeping patients in a familiar environment, BGH can provide comprehensive care while minimizing the need for transfers to other facilities. Patients admitted to other regional facilities, such as Kootenai Health and Sacred Heart, also have the option to transfer to BGH for the remainder of their care.
Other benefits of the Swing Beds Program include access to a range of services, reduced readmissions, decreased lengths of stay and continued care in the same environment with the same care team. The program would also allow community members and their families to remain close to home for the duration of their care.
“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I’m excited to see the positive impact this program will have on our patients and their families,” Dotson said in the press release.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has approved BGH to admit patients to the Swing Bed Program. Specific insurance eligibility requirements for admission to the program apply.
