Post-Acute Rehabilitation Program

Achieve Greater Independence & Self-Sufficiency After Your Hospital Stay

Recuperate and Recover Close to Home

Not everyone is strong enough to return to everyday living after an illness or surgery requiring a hospital stay. Some patients need extra time to recuperate and recover before returning home.

Star Valley Health’s Post-Acute Rehabilitation program, sometimes referred to as swing bed care, can help patients make a smooth transition between a hospital stay and their return home – all while keeping the patient close to family and friends in Star Valley. This closeness to home and loved ones is proven to help in the recovery process.

Who Can Benefit from Post-Acute Rehabilitation?

Those who need rehabilitation or therapy after orthopedic surgery, such as joint replacement.
Those who are recovering from a stroke who do not quality for admission to an inpatient rehab center.
Those who are receiving IV therapy or wound care.
Those who need to regain strength and mobility after an illness, injury, or surgery.
Those who need tube feeding or nutrition management.
Patients in a program to maintain the patient’s current condition and prevent or slow further deterioration.

Who is Involved in Your Care?

Rehabilitation in this type, sometimes referred to as swing bed care, is most successful when a team of experts help develop an independent treatment plan to meet your needs. Together our team, including skilled nursing staff, creates a goal with you and your family to determine the rehab potential and discharge goal. Depending on your individual needs, this team may consist of a:

PHYSICIANS: Board certified physicians care for each patient and are available 24 hours a day. These experts may also request consultations with other specialists during your stay.
RN CASE MANAGER/DISCHARGE PLANNER: Usually the first contact a hospital, doctor, or patient will have regarding a possible stay. Once you’re admitted to the program, the case manager works with you and your family to connect you to services you need.
PHYSICAL THERAPIST: Physical therapy will be able to help you improve your quality of life through exercises, hands-on-care, and patient education. Your physical therapist will perform a physical examination and then develop a treatment plan that will help you improve your ability to move, reduce or manage pain, restore function, and prevent disability.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST: Occupational therapy (OT) works with people who, due to injury, illness, or a medical condition, are having difficulty performing tasks or activities that they need or want to perform. Activities like dressing, showering, driving, housekeeping, or participating in hobbies have varying levels of importance to every individual. OT works with patients to regain function through retraining, modifications, and/or supports. They look at how each person performs tasks or activities to determine what portion the person finds difficult.
REGISTERED NURSE: Each patient will be assigned a nurse 24 hours a day that is there to help with medication administration, activities of daily living, and who will continuously monitor the patient’s condition, keeping the physician in the loop on the patients’ progress. These skilled nursing staff provide insight throughout the process.
SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST: Also called speech therapists, speech language pathologists work with patients on a broad range of physical and cognitive communication disorders: issues with communication, voice, swallowing, and cognition, including memory. These disorders have a variety of causes, such as stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, Parkinson’s Disease, and dementia.
REGISTERED DIETITIAN: Proper nutrition is important for recovery and good health. We offer nutritional support, education and, if necessary, custom diets to meet your preference and dietary needs.
PHARMACIST: The pharmacist will review all medications to make recommendations to the attending physician for changes in dosage, types of medications, and reduction in medications.

Who Qualifies for the Post-Acute Rehabilitation Program?

You’ll find that Medicare and most insurance companies cover post-acute rehab services, sometimes referred to as swing bed. These services are usually covered under the Skilled Nursing Facility benefit category. Medicare and state regulations provide the following patient eligibility guidelines:

A patient must be hospitalized as an Acute Care Inpatient (not an Observation Patient) for a minimum of three consecutive midnights within a 30-day period.
Admissions can come from any hospital, including our hospital, after three consecutive midnights as an inpatient in acute care.
The doctor must determine a need for daily skilled care or skilled nursing care (Examples: IV therapy, skin and would care, physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy).
We recommend that you or the case manager contact your insurance company for specific coverage before making any health care decisions.

Can My Loved Ones Visit?

Patients need the support and encouragement of their friends and family. We invite you to visit often. Family members are encouraged to attend care conferences for their loved one.

What Happens After the Post-Acute Rehabilitation Program?

Each patient makes progress based on individual medical needs and rehabilitative potential. The interdisciplinary team will keep track of your progress and evaluate new goals until they determine you are ready for discharge.

Your case manager/discharge planner will assist you in making suitable arrangements regarding services available in the community and equipment to ensure your safe return home.

For more information, please call 307-885-5954.

Request an Appointment
307-885-5800