Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital in Sandwich is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its Homeward Healing Swing Bed Program. Former patients, staff, and leadership gathered to express gratitude to the caregivers. Several awards were presented to staff members who contributed to the program's development and success.
Swing-bed programs are unique to rural healthcare settings and critical access hospitals. The inpatient program serves individuals needing short-term, skilled healthcare services after an acute hospital stay. Instead of going directly home or to a skilled nursing facility, patients remain at or can be transferred to Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital for additional care that is not easily provided at home.
For instance, a patient with a hip replacement may not need prolonged acute care but requires more physical therapy before returning home. Instead of moving the patient to a skilled nursing facility, they are cared for in the Swing Bed program. Services include physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapy; wound care management; nutritional therapy; and IV antibiotic therapy that does not qualify for home care.
“In rural settings, access to care can be difficult,” said Ashley Brown, BSN, RN, CMSRN, patient care manager at Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital. “Because care is provided by hospital staff, studies have shown the average length of stay for patients in swing beds is about half than that of stand-alone skilled nursing facilities.”
Patients in Valley West’s program are discharged from swing beds on average in approximately 10 days, while those in skilled nursing facilities stay for an average of 26 days. Patients in swing bed programs are also much less likely to get readmitted to acute inpatient care. Valley West’s readmission rates are 12% compared to 24% for patients in skilled nursing facilities.
Susan White of Sandwich has been a patient twice—first after surgery and second after a heart attack. She received her acute care at other hospitals and was transferred to Valley West Hospital for the Homeward Healing program.
“I wanted to come here because it was close to home. My daughter, sister and friends were able to easily visit me,” said White. “The care was excellent. The nurses and staff are so nice and work so hard to make sure you are getting better. Everything was so well coordinated.”
According to the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN), hospital-based swing beds are vital in rural communities for keeping services close to home and ensuring coordinated care for rural Medicare beneficiaries.
Several staff members were honored during the celebrations including:
- Visionary Leadership: Melissa Lecuyer, MSN, RN, NE-BC
- Commitment: Kathryn Wasson, PT; Taylor Koegel, OT; Susan McKay, OT; Tracey Jimenez, RN; Melissa Walsh, RN
- Compassion: Alyssa Combes and Nicole Nelson
- Care Coordination: Cheri Johnson ACM-RN; Colleen Emanuel MSN CCM-RN
“Our program is unique because clinical nurses are involved in reviewing admissions based on specific criteria,” said Kim Czaruk MSN RN director of operations and associate chief nurse executive. “However, it is our compassionate staff that truly make our Homeward Healing program special. Our patients love them.”
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