News

William Newton Hospital's Swing Bed Program Achieves Record Growth in 2024
William Newton Hospital has seen a dramatic increase in its swing bed program, achieving a record-breaking 1,126 patient days in 2024, representing a 363% increase over the previous year.
“I’m so proud of the collaboration between all of the departments involved,” says WNH Chief Nursing Officer Laura Frazier, BSN, RN. “The teams came together to build upon our existing swing bed program and help patients stay close to home for care.”
Swing bed is a Medicare designation for extended hospital stays focused on recovery and rehabilitation, with Original Medicare covering 101% up to 20 days. Bridging the gap between acute hospitalization and home, the program enhances patient recovery through 24/7 access to medical professionals, comprehensive rehabilitation services, and the comfort of recovering close to home. It provides skilled nursing care, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, wound care, and medication management, all within a hospital setting.
The significant increase in patient days, from 243 in 2023 to 1,126 in 2024, demonstrates the program's success. Frazier attributes the recent growth to strong teamwork, expanding the scope of skilled nursing services, improved identification of suitable patients, enhanced coordination with area healthcare providers, and the addition of dedicated case management. “A team of specialized professionals now reviews each patient to ensure swing bed care is appropriate.”
The treatment space where swing bed patients receive rehabilitation services was also revamped to be more modern, accessible, and functional.
Director of Rehabilitation Services, Amanda Buttress, PT, and her team were excited to have a room dedicated to inpatient therapy. “We included household appliances in this space to individualize treatments and work on independence with tasks patients will be doing at home. This space makes it easier for patients to get out of their room for therapy sessions during their swing bed stay while adding more functionality.”
If faced with an inpatient stay, William Newton Hospital recommends patients talk to their primary care provider about the option for extended care through hospital swing bed programs. To learn more about swing bed care and other nursing services at William Newton Hospital, call 620-221-2300 or visit www.WNHcares.org .