At Horn Memorial, we provide high-quality Skilled Level of Care to support patients who require medical or rehabilitative services on a short-term basis following a hospital stay. This care bridges the gap between acute hospital care and returning home or transitioning to long-term care.
What is Skilled Level of Care?
Skilled care refers to medically necessary services ordered by a physician and delivered by licensed professionals such as:
These services are designed for patients recovering from surgery, illness, or injury and may include:
Wound care IV therapy or injections Physical rehabilitation Monitoring of vital signs and medical conditions Assistance with recovery from joint replacements, strokes, or chronic conditions
Benefits of Skilled Care
Personalized, patient-centered care in a familiar, local setting 24/7 nursing support Access to therapy and rehabilitation services Shorter stays focused on recovery and independence Seamless coordination with your primary care provider or specialists
Who Qualifies?
Patients may qualify for Skilled Swing Bed Services if they:
Have had a qualifying hospital stay (typically 3 days inpatient) Require skilled nursing or therapy services daily Are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or other insurance plans that include post-acute care benefits
Why Choose Horn Memorial Hospital
Our skilled care program allows patients to recover close to home, surrounded by compassionate staff and family support. We are committed to delivering the highest standards of care, right here in your community.
Rehabilitation services are a central component of skilled care visits, especially for patients recovering from illness, injury, or surgery.
What Are Rehab Services in Skilled Care?
Rehabilitation (rehab) services in skilled care include:
Physical therapy (PT) – Helps patients improve mobility, strength, and coordination after injury or surgery. Occupational therapy (OT) – Focuses on helping patients regain independence with daily tasks like dressing, bathing, and eating. Speech-language pathology (SLP) – Assists with communication, swallowing, and cognitive-communication challenges.
Role of Rehab in Skilled Care Visits
1. Recovery & Restoration
Rehab services are designed to restore function, mobility, and independence after hospitalization, surgery (like joint replacements), stroke, or trauma.
2. Individualized Care
Plans Rehab professionals assess the patient's needs and develop custom therapy plans. These are coordinated with nurses, doctors, and mid-level providers as part of a comprehensive skilled care strategy.
3. Medicare Requirement
To qualify for Medicare-covered skilled nursing facility (SNF) care, the need for skilled rehab is often one of the key qualifying criteria. For example, a patient must require PT, OT, or speech therapy at least 5 days a week.
4. Preventing Rehospitalization
Effective rehab reduces the risk of complications, helps prevent falls, and avoids hospital readmission by improving strength and self-care abilities.
5. Measuring Progress
Therapists document progress regularly. If a patient improves enough to no longer require skilled rehab, they may be discharged from skilled care.
Examples of When Rehab Is Used in Skilled Care
After a stroke: Speech therapy for communication/swallowing; PT for mobility. After a hip fracture or joint replacement: PT and OT to regain mobility and perform daily tasks. Following hospitalization for pneumonia or heart failure: PT to rebuild stamina and strength.
Frequently asked questions:
Q: What are some examples of reasons a patient may need a swing bed? A: Wound care, stroke rehabilitation, IV antibiotics, orthopedic care, or more time to heal from a surgery or illness.
Q: Do I need to receive hospital care at Horn Memorial Hospital prior to becoming a swing bed patient? A: While most of the time, you will transition to Swing Bed status in the hospital where you have received care, there may be instances where patients are transferred to Horn Memorial from other facilities for Swing Bed Services. If you are in another hospital and would like to come to Horn for the short term skilled care that has been advised for you, you may request this through the hospital's Case Manager to determine if Horn is an option.
Q: Can I come from my home for Swing Bed Services or only from a hospital stay? A: A patient has up to 30 days from day of inpatient discharge to use skilled benefits. It is possible to be admitted from home to a Swing Bed if certain criteria is met.
For more information, contact our Case Manager at 712-364-7272.
Registered Nurses (RNs)
