Skilled Nursing Care
Skilled Nursing Care also known as “Swing Bed” is a skilled nursing level of care provided at the Baldwin Area Medical Center. If you are no longer acutely ill, but still not well enough to go home and take care of yourself, you may be placed into skilled nursing care for a short time. You receive the same type of care in skilled nursing care as you would in a nursing home. Your condition will be monitored daily for a change in your level of care. Any changes will be reported to your physician. As your condition improves and it is determined that you no longer require skilled care, you will be notified and our case manager will help you make arrangements for discharge. If your level of care increases because of a change in your condition you will be transferred back to acute care.
Physician Visits: Your physician will visit you as the need arises but at least every 30 days. If your personal physician is not available, we may ask the on-call physician to address your needs.
Room Placement: You may stay in the same room as your acute care stay, but we may ask you to move to a different room if necessary.
Clothing: When you are a swing bed patient, we encourage you to wear your own clothing. Families are asked to provide clean clothes as needed.
Personal Items: We encourage you to furnish your own personal items such as Kleenex, toothpaste, toothbrush, combs, brushes, shampoo, makeup items, denture cups, denture cleansers, razors, shaving items, deodorants, body lotions and hair curlers. You may bring other small items from home such as pictures. We encourage you to send money or valuables home with a family member.
Activities: An activity program will be provided for you designed around your needs and interests. We want you to enjoy your time here as well as to accomplish the skills necessary to return home.
Meals: Meals will be similar to those you received while in acute care. Our dietician will help you design meals based on physician orders and your food preferences. You will be given a daily menu from which you can make your food selections.
Temporary Leaves: If you wish to leave the hospital for a few hours, we will assist in obtaining an order from your physician. You will be asked to sign a release form before leaving.
Medications: If your physician orders a nonprescription drug such as aspirin or antacid, you may purchase these from any drugstore of your choice or you may receive them from the hospital. The charges for these medications, if received from the hospital, will be billed to you. Storing of these or any medication in your room is prohibited unless specified by physician’s order.
Social Services: Baldwin Area Medical Center has a full time social worker available Monday through Friday. If you experience any social or financial difficulties she is available to help you.
Clergy: Your clergy may visit as desired. We are happy to assist you in contacting them if necessary.
Restrictions and Liabilities: We ask that you bring no food, beverages or pharmaceuticals into the hospital without first obtaining permission from the nursing staff. No medications or treatments shall be given to you unless the nursing staff is first notified and permission obtained, if necessary, from your physician.
Baldwin Area Medical Center shall not be responsible for any money, valuables or personal effects brought into the hospital by you or your relatives or friends unless delivered to the locked safe for safekeeping.
If you use electrical equipment while in the swing bed program, you do so at your own risk and hereby absolve the hospital from any and all responsibility from burns, injuries or property damage, which may result from or because of said appliance.
When you are discharged, we will send your personal belongings and effects with you.
We ask that your family provide transportation for you when you leave the facility. If necessary or desired, a van service can be arranged and they will bill you or your insurance.
Baldwin Area Medical Center shall incur no liability or injuries of any kind suffered by you while under its care, except where the injury is caused by negligence of the hospital. When you leave the hospital either temporarily or permanently, this shall terminate any responsibility on the part of the hospital.