Access to healthcare can vary depending on where you live. Urban and suburban areas naturally have more healthcare facilities, specialists, and emergency rooms, while rural communities may face challenges in accessing quality comprehensive care. One program that’s helped bridge the healthcare gap in rural communities is the swing bed program. But what are swing beds in hospitals? And how are they enhancing rural healthcare access?
Learn more about this essential program and how you can access local swing bed services in Adams County.
Healthcare Access in Rural Vs. Urban and Suburban Areas
Healthcare is typically more accessible in urban and suburban areas. Large hospitals, specialty clinics, and urgent care centers are typically located close to people’s homes. Patients can visit specialists in state-of-the-art facilities with short travel times. Many urban and suburban residents enjoy plenty of choice and faster access to healthcare services.
Rural communities often face more obstacles when trying to access quality healthcare. Fewer facilities mean patients have to travel longer distances to receive treatment or see specialists. There may be fewer healthcare providers, so wait times are longer, and getting specialized care means a referral to a distant hospital.
These challenges highlight the importance of the swing bed program, which helps rural hospitals offer a wider range of healthcare options locally.
What Are Swing Beds in Hospitals?
In an urban environment, a patient would be discharged from the hospital as soon as they are stable enough. They might then be transferred to a rehabilitation facility or have in-home care and assistance to help with their recovery. These services might not be available in a rural community or require the patient to travel long distances to access that care, which might not be in their best interests.
Swing beds help bridge this gap in healthcare access. These transitional care programs, found in many rural hospitals, allow facilities to use certain hospital beds for both acute and rehabilitative care. They create flexibility that allows the hospital to adapt to the needs of the patient, giving them a smoother transition from hospital to home.
The program allows patients to continue receiving physical therapy, occupational therapy, wound care, pain management, and other skilled nursing services in the same hospital without being transferred to another facility. Patients stay within their community and get the high-quality, post-acute care they need.
How Swing Beds Enhance Healthcare Access in Rural Areas
Swing beds are pivotal for enhancing healthcare access in rural communities. They can help:
- Bridge the gap between hospital care and home recovery. Without transitional care services, rural patients might face the difficult choice of traveling to a larger city for post-acute care or returning home before they are really ready.
- Provide continuity of care. Swing beds allow patients to remain under the supervision of their local healthcare team, familiar providers who can oversee their recovery.
- With healthcare costs. Swing beds can reduce healthcare expenses for patients, but there are also no additional lodging costs for families staying near distant facilities.
When patients can access quality care close to home, they are more likely to follow through with their recovery protocols. That can reduce the likelihood of being readmitted to the hospital and result in better overall health.
Learn More About Local Swing Bed Services in Adams County
There are so many wonderful things about living in a rural community. You don’t have to give it up to ensure you have access to quality healthcare. East Adams Rural Healthcare is a designated swing-bed hospital offering transitional care services that can help you recover from an illness, injury, or surgical procedure and prepare you to return to daily life.
If you or a loved one could benefit from swing bed services, visit EARH or contact our team to learn more about how we can support your recovery journey. We’ll make your health and well-being our top priority.
