Swing Bed Program in Bonham,Texas

Swing bed, also referred to as skilled care, is a Medicare program that provides extended care to those needing additional time to rebuild their strength following an acute illness or surgery. Although it is a Medicare program, many private insurance companies also cover this type of care.

The idea of the patient swinging or transitioning from acute care into the skilled care program is how it got its name. The Swing Bed Program at TMC Bonham Hospital offers around-the-clock care for patients transitioning between a hospital stay and discharge to home.

Swing Bed Program Eligibility

To be eligible, patients must need skilled nursing care or rehabilitative services performed by or under the supervision of a professional or technical person on a daily basis. Some examples of skilled services include:

  • Physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy
  • Care of wounds and ulcers
  • Terminal care for patients needing pain control or skilled supportive care
  • IV therapies (short and long term)
  • Post-surgical care
  • Nutritional stabilization (dietitian provides varying menu)

Preparing to Return Home

Patients in our Swing Bed Program stay on the Medical/Surgical floor in private rooms. The same staff that cared for them during the acute phases of their illness or recovery will continue caring for them as a swing bed patient. Even if the patient had surgery or was hospitalized elsewhere, they can transfer from that facility to TMC Bonham to receive their swing bed care.

TMC Bonham’s Swing Bed Program provides the care needed close to home in preparation to return home. Patients in the program continue to be seen by their physician who works with the healthcare team to determine their needs. Physicians visit patients at least once a week, if not multiple times in a week. Patients are allowed to leave the facility with a physician’s order and must return the same day.

Patient Testimonial: Betty Burke

Patient testimonial image. This woman gave the prior patient testimonial

Rehab Program Helps 91-Year-Old Overcome Broken Hip

For 91-year-old Betty Burk, a get-together with friends turned into an emergency situation — she fell and broke her hip in seven places, fractured her femur and snapped her collarbone. A trip to Texoma Medical Center’s Emergency Department led to surgery, which was successful, but the recovery would be challenging. She was instructed to not put any weight on her left side for nearly a month.

Burk and her family were concerned, not just about the physical task of rehabilitation, but they knew the risks of infection and illness, such as pneumonia, were increased as well. After a six-day hospital stay at TMC, Burk was transferred to the Swing Bed Program at TMC Bonham Hospital.

Swing Bed, also referred to as skilled care, is a program that provides extended care to those needing additional time to rebuild their strength following an acute illness or surgery. The Swing Bed Program at TMC Bonham Hospital offers around-the-clock care for patients transitioning between a hospital stay and discharge to home.

‘They go the extra mile’

Burk and her family were unsure what to expect with rehab and were relieved by the caring staff at TMC Bonham Hospital. The Swing Bed team adapted their care to accommodate Burk’s weight-bearing restriction for the 27 days until she was able to begin full inpatient rehab. They were very attentive and helped her with necessities, and made sure her family felt seen and taken care of during visits. After a little more than 30 days in the hospital, Burk was discharged.

“They are very friendly,” her daughter Ronda Fitzwater says of the Swing Bed team. “They checked in all the time. Therapy helped her brush her teeth every day, and you don’t see that at other places. They don’t get the appreciation and gratitude they deserve. They go the extra mile.”

Burk continued her rehab journey by participating in the outpatient therapy program at TMC Bonham Hospital. The outpatient program allowed Burk to continue to improve while regaining her independence, with a level of care she said she didn’t think she would receive anywhere else. Burk is now back at home and living on her own, and can drive herself to and from her daily activities.

With her outpatient therapy complete, Burk says she feels more independent and mobile than before her accident. She credits the TMC Bonham Hospital staff’s attention to detail for the fact that she never suffered complications or infections. Burk and her family are thankful for the nurses and therapists who played a part in her recovery.

“I’m just thankful to be able to do what I can now,” Burk said. “When you’re 91 and you can’t walk, you know your life is going to change dramatically. It’s good that I can go shopping tomorrow!”