Understanding Bucktail Medical Center’s Swing Bed Unit

SOUTH RENOVO- When you find a hospital in the United States that sits in the middle of a rural town more than 25 miles away from the next closest hospital; that hospital will typically be referred to as a Critical Access Hospital. Most Critical Access Hospitals will have a specialized group of beds called a Swing Bed Unit.

Bucktail Medical Center sits in the most rural town in Pennsylvania and well over 25 miles from the next closest hospital. Because of this, Bucktail Medical Center is certified as a Critical Access Hospital and has a thriving Swing Bed Unit.

A Swing Bed Unit can do many things. Predominantly it provides a therapeutic environment in which a wide variety of patients can recover after an acute hospitalization. The needs that patients have after an Acute Hospitalization is often referred to as “Skilled Needs.” The Skilled Needs that Bucktail Medical Center’s Swing Bed Unit can manage include Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, IV Management, Daily Wound Care, Wound Vacs and Pain and Symptom Management associated with various medical issues.

Patients who are admitted into a Swing Bed Unit typically demonstrate a high rehabilitation potential and express a realistic goal of returning to their previous place of residence.

Once admitted into a Swing Bed Unit, what can you expect?

•STAFF: You will predominantly work with the staff trained to aid in your specific skilled need. However, you will also be surrounded by other staff including Nursing, Physical and Occupational Therapy, Medical Doctors, Dietary, Activities and Social Services. The approach will be therapeutic with an emphasis on your specific need, but a holistic approach will help in covering all aspects of your treatment and recovery.

•GOALS: You will be asked what your immediate and long-term goals are upon admission. Your stated goals will help in establishing your care during your admission. In many ways, the care you receive and the goals that are set are very much patient driven.

•DAILY ROUTINES: Your day will have a fair number of treatments and services to keep you busy. As with all hospitals, doctors and nurses will be in and out of your room. However, much of your day will also be filled with “down-time”. To keep patients involved scheduled activities will be offered, social visits will occur by numerous people and staff will always promote friends and families to visit as able. It is suggested that you bring comfortable clothing and some things that you enjoy doing.

•FAMILY INVOLVEMENT: Family will often play a large part in the patient’s recovery and success after discharge. Aside from the social visits they can provide, families sometimes play an important part in the discharge process. Family will assist in creating realistic goals for the patient, aid in the safe transition back to the home and provide emotional support for the patient.

•LENGTH OF STAY AND DISCHARGE: A patient’s length of stay can vary depending on various factors. Your discharge will always be controlled and well managed. You will be safely discharged with the help of a Discharge Planner. The Discharge Planner will work with the patient, family members, personal supports and outside agencies in order to create the safest discharge possible.

Find yourself in an Acute Hospital and want to be admitted into Bucktail Medical Center for continued care? Make sure to express this desire to the staff caring for you. Be an advocate for yourself and make your wishes known.

Have additional questions about Bucktail Medical Center’s Swing Bed Unit? Contact Kevin Ransom at Bucktail Medical Center at 570-531-6125.

Bucktail Medical Center is here and ready to help during your recovery.