Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo By Rick Patrick December 7, 2016
Patients and staff at the Madison County Memorial Hospital enjoyed decorating Christmas cookies on Wednesday, Dec. 7. Pictured clockwise, from the left, are: Patsy Sanderson, Jennifer Meyer, Sarah Allen, Stacey Bachari, Dorothy Jolley, and Brenda Byrd. Pictured in the back is Cindy Coulter.
Rick Patrick, Greene Publishing, Inc.
At Madison County Memorial Hospital (MCMH), patients undergoing rehabilitation have the “Swing Bed” program to assist with their treatment. This gives patients the time needed to get stronger prior to leaving the hospital. While in the Swing Bed program, patients receive personalized therapy services before discharge. Within the Swing Bed program is a team of physicians, nurses; physical, speech, and occupational therapists; respiratory therapists, dieticians/nutritionists, an activity coordinator, chaplains, and case managers. According to Jennifer Meyer, the Clinical Resource Coordinator at MCMH, the Swing Bed program also provides activities three times a week to patients undergoing physical, speech, or occupational therapy. These activities could consist of crafts, pet therapy, or even student groups coming in to spend time with the patients. The Swing Bed program has been in place for several years at MCMH.
MCMH has several patients who transfer from other hospitals, such as South Georgia Medical Center or Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, in order to receive various therapy and rehabilitation services. Often it proves difficult for patients to travel to Valdosta or Tallahassee in order to receive rehabilitation services. A great number of the patients at MCMH are in the hospital for rehabilitation and therapy services.
In order to qualify for the Swing Bed program, a patient must have had a three day or longer hospital stay within the past 30 days and have a need for skilled nursing services, physical, occupational, or speech therapy.