UH Conneaut Medical Center to Open New Swing Bed Unit

CONNEAUT, Ohio — University Hospitals (UH) Conneaut Medical Center will open a new Swing Bed Unit this fall. Patients in the community will benefit from this new service by going directly from acute medical admission to skilled rehabilitation. The state-of-the-art facility will provide several services, including physical, occupational and speech therapy, along with many others.

Rural hospitals with Medicare provider agreements can utilize swing bed services so that patients can easily transition from acute to skilled nursing facility care without leaving the hospital. Services include skilled wound care, IV antibiotics, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Currently, patients in this unit are mixed in with medical surgical patients. Now, six private rooms will be dedicated to help them recover and regain their quality of life.

“We are looking forward to bringing this new and improved rehabilitation facility to our patients in Conneaut,” said Kimberly Richey, RN, BC-BSN, Assistant Nurse Manager of Inpatient Services, UH Conneaut Medical Center. “No other facility in the area can match these services. Our goal is to create an advanced rehab unit to help patients function at the highest level possible in the least amount of time, for a better quality of life.”

The unit consists of a nurses’ station, therapy room and equipment for occupational and physical therapy, so patients can practice being back at home. Equipment includes a full kitchen with an oven and refrigerator; a washer and dryer; a living room area with equipment like a vacuum for patients to practice avoiding tripping hazards; and a bathroom area with a bathtub. Long-time community supporters, Conneaut Hospital Thrift Shop, generously donated the funds to buy a therapy car for the unit to be used for patient recovery. Half of a car is bolted to the wall so that patients can practice transferring in and out of the vehicle, and loading and unloading groceries.

“Each patient will receive a comprehensive care plan, up to two physical therapy sessions, and one occupational therapy session each day, as well as speech therapy which is available three times per week,” Richey explained. “Patients who are recovering from hip, knee and other orthopedic surgeries, as well as deconditioned patients who need to rehabilitate in order to safely return home will benefit from these services.”

The Swing Bed Unit has a one to six nurse to patient ratio and a physician is available daily if needed. The occupational therapist is lymphedema certified, and a social worker is available to help answer questions about insurance, transportation and other arrangements. Additional benefits to patients include private meeting spaces for patients and families; a community room for dining, socializing and activities; continuity of care with electronic medical records; extended stay menu with meals at preferred times; and Wi-Fi access, TV and phone in each room.  

The new unit is set to officially open to patients on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. Prior to the opening, the community and media are invited to tour the space and learn more about the services that will be offered.

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**Media are invited to attend the open house on Tuesday, August 29th at 1 p.m. – RSVP is required: Ansley.Gogol@UHhospitals.org