Implementing Swing‐Bed Services in Small Rural Hospitals*

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Abstract
Since 1983, twenty‐six small rural hospitals in five states have been developing models of the “swing‐bed” concept as part of a coordinated national demonstration project. Based on the experiences of these hospitals, swing‐bed programs use excess hospital capacity to provide short‐term, post‐acute care in rural communities where there are nursing home shortages, and, thus, help avoid the need for new nursing home construction. The availability of swing‐bed services in rural hospitals has allowed the elderly patient to receive a full‐range of long‐term care services within the community to avoid transfer to a nursing home outside the community. Introduction of services also has improved patient care for all hospitalized elderly. Finally, the revenue from the swing‐bed services has helped to stabilize small, rural hospitals faced with declining utilization. The demonstration has provided evidence that the swing‐bed program has the potential to deliver a needed service to the rural elderly while contributing to the preservation of the small, rural hospital as a valuable community resource.

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