LOGAN ‒ Despite the recent closure of its skilled nursing facility, Hocking Valley Community Hospital’s swing bed unit is, well, in full swing.
The swing bed unit, located in the same portion of the hospital as the former skilled nursing facility, treats patients who require a temporary stay.
“The swing bed unit is an additional step in recovery for those who are too ill to return home after an acute hospital stay,” Alison Monroe, swing bed coordinator, said. “This is designed to be short-term in nature. The main purpose is to rehabilitate patients after an acute illness with the ultimate goal of returning them to their home or to another level of care, such as assisted living or nursing homes, in the event they are unable to return home.”
The swing bed unit accommodates those on the mend after complex surgery or serious illness. The unit provides a level of care to patients that they would not receive while recuperating at home, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and other rehabilitation services.
“We give dressing changes and other support as needed, as well as assist with rehab,” Monroe said.
And if the patient’s level of care extends beyond what the hospital offers, the hospital will help the patient make arrangements with a long-term care facility, assisted living or additional therapy services.
Enterprise resident Nancy Jane Dawley is thankful to have received therapy locally after suffering cardiac complications earlier this year. She visited three different hospitals in three months and ended up in Hocking Valley’s swing bed unit during her recuperation.
“They helped me immensely,” Dawley said. “I participated in the rehab every day. I was a little unstable at first, but then I went from my wheelchair to a walker, then to a cane and then walking around the room on my own, by holding on to things. I got stronger and stronger.”
Dawley stayed in the swing bed unit for 24 days.
“I felt like I was a queen. I had all these people smiling me and telling me, ‘You can do it and you will go home,’”Dawley said. “They got me up and going.”
After Dalwey was fit enough to return home, the hospital helped arrange for a nurse to check on her every day and for continued rehabilitation services. Dawley now continues her therapy exercises at home.
“If you ever need anything outside the hospital, they will guide you with what you need,” she said.
Kathy Krumlauf, hospital community relations director, said the hospital will continue to give its patients the highest level of care.
“Just because we no longer have a skilled nursing facility does not mean we can’t help patients who require longer hospital stays,” Krumlauf said. “Our swing bed unit is still open to those who need it the most.”
For more information, please call (740) 385-8336 or visit www.hvch.org.