‘Swing Bed’ Program launches at AGH
Recover Closer to Home: Artesia General Hospital’s Short-Term Skilled Nursing Care Swing Bed Program
When a medical event, injury, or surgery requires intensive recovery time, the thought of needing short-term skilled nursing care can bring up many questions. For residents across Artesia, Carlsbad, and Roswell, the key to a successful recovery often means finding high-quality care that acts as a secure bridge from hospital to home. Artesia General Hospital’s Swing Bed Program provides this vital service. It is designed to maximize your recovery and independence with personalized, intensive care, ensuring you have the best possible path to post-hospitalization recovery right here in your community. When you look for a New Mexico Swing Bed provider, look to us for local, expert care.
What is a Swing Bed and How is it Different from a Nursing Home?
The term “Swing Bed” is a technical designation that allows an acute care hospital bed to “swing” to provide specialized rehabilitation and skilled care. Essentially, it allows you to remain in a hospital setting while receiving services similar to a skilled nursing facility (SNF).
The crucial difference between this program and a long-term care facility is the duration and goal:
- Swing Bed Program (Short-Term Skilled Nursing Care): This is a form of transitional care unit. The focus is intense and restorative. You receive services like daily therapy and high-level medical care with the singular goal of getting you home safely in a short amount of time.
- Long-Term Care/Nursing Home: These facilities typically provide custodial care for individuals needing long-term assistance with daily living.
The ability to offer this New Mexico short-term skilled nursing care is essential for rural communities, providing access to medically necessary services without requiring long-distance travel.
Am I Eligible for Short-Term Skilled Nursing Care at AGH?
For patients seeking rehab after surgery in Artesia or a nearby location, determining swing bed eligibility is the first step. Our program follows specific Medicare guidelines, which ensure that only patients who truly need daily, intensive skilled services are admitted.
You may be eligible if you:
- Have a Qualifying Hospital Stay: You must have had a prior acute hospital stay of at least three related consecutive inpatient midnights in a hospital within the last 30 days.
- Are Medically Stable: You are stable enough to leave acute care but still require skilled services.
- Need Daily Skilled Services: You require daily medical services that can only be safely and effectively administered by skilled personnel. This might include:
- Intensive Physical, Occupational, or Speech Therapy
- IV Antibiotic Therapy
- Complex Wound Care
Please note: Artesia General Hospital accepts Medicare and most commercial insurance plans, but out-of-state Medicaid is not accepted for this program.
Comprehensive Services for Post-Hospitalization Recovery
Our program provides the focused attention needed to help patients achieve their highest level of recovery following major events like a fracture, stroke, or severe infection.
Key services offered as part of your personalized care plan include:
- Intensive Rehabilitation: Patients receive frequent, dedicated sessions of Physical, Occupational, and/or Speech Therapy to restore mobility, daily living skills, and communication. If you need rehab after surgery in Artesia, Carlsbad or Roswell, our local program is a convenient choice.
- Specialized Nursing Care: This includes crucial services like advanced wound care management and the continuation of IV antibiotic therapy to clear ongoing infections.
“The most rewarding part of the Swing Bed Program is watching a patient who came to us frail and dependent gain the confidence and physical ability to return home. We coordinate our care across nursing and therapy to ensure every patient receives the best clinical attention and support to make that safe transition.” — Michele Petersen, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at Artesia General Hospital
How Artesia General Hospital Can Help
We understand that coordinating care after a hospital stay can be challenging for both patients and family members. That’s why our process is designed for clarity and efficiency.
If you or a loved one are preparing for discharge from a hospital and need short-term skilled nursing care, talk to your current hospital’s discharge planner and request a referral to our specialized Swing Bed Program at Artesia General Hospital.
The process is managed by our dedicated Case Management team, which specializes in navigating the requirements of transitional care unit placement. They will coordinate with your doctors, review your eligibility, and arrange a seamless transfer once approved.
For more information on eligibility and admissions, we encourage you to contact our dedicated Case Management team directly by calling 575-703-0274
Frequently asked Questions: Navigating Skilled Care in New Mexico
We’ve compiled answers to the most common questions our community asks about New Mexico Swing Bed programs and post-acute recovery.
- What is a swing bed program and how does it work?
- A swing bed program provides high-level, short-term skilled nursing care within a hospital setting. It allows a patient’s status to “swing” from acute care to skilled care, acting as a temporary hospital bridge to home for recovery and rehabilitation after a hospital stay.
- Are there swing bed programs specifically for rural hospitals?
- Yes. The Swing Bed Program was created by Medicare specifically for rural hospitals (like Artesia General Hospital) to ensure patients in small towns and remote areas could receive necessary skilled services without having to travel long distances away from their families.
- How to qualify for a swing bed program in a hospital?
- To qualify, you must have been admitted as an inpatient for at least three related consecutive days within the last month. Crucially, your physician must determine you need daily skilled services (like physical therapy, IV therapy, or complex wound care) that require professional medical supervision.
- Swing bed program benefits covered by Medicare and Medicaid
- Medicaid coverage varies by state, but your eligibility and benefits are always verified by our dedicated Case Management team prior to admission.
- How to enroll in a swing bed program through a local hospital?
- The enrollment process starts with a referral. You (or your family) must inform your current hospital’s doctor or discharge planner that you wish to receive your post-hospitalization recovery at Artesia General Hospital. Our dedicated Case Management team then manages the assessment and transfer coordination.
- Which healthcare providers offer swing bed programs near me? / Best swing bed program providers for post-acute care
- Artesia General Hospital is a premier provider of short-term skilled nursing New Mexico care for residents across Artesia, Carlsbad, and Roswell. By choosing a local hospital like AGH, you benefit from hospital-level safety, 24/7 physician access, and continuity of care close to your home and family support system.
Take the Next Step in Your Recovery
Ready to learn more about accessing high-quality short-term skilled nursing New Mexico care close to home?
For detailed questions regarding eligibility, insurance, and the transfer process, please contact our dedicated Case Management team at Artesia General Hospital today:
Call 575-703-0274 to learn more