Written By: Alicia Myers, Western Wisconsin Health Inpatient Services Manager

At Western Wisconsin Health, we understand that recovering from an acute illness, surgery, or injury can be a challenging journey. Often, patients no longer require hospitalization but are not quite ready to return home. That’s where our Transitional Care (Swing Bed) Program comes in—designed to provide a supportive bridge between hospital care and home, ensuring patients receive the necessary medical services, rehabilitation, and care team support to regain strength and independence.

Our program is ideal for individuals who need additional time to heal before resuming their normal daily activities. We provide a structured and encouraging environment where patients can gradually regain confidence in essential tasks such as dressing, bathing, and personal care. While Western Wisconsin Health may not always offer the specialty procedure you require, we are here for you post-surgery or treatment, offering high-quality, close-to-home rehabilitation to help you get back on your feet.

Our Commitment to Your Recovery

At Western Wisconsin Health, our top priority is to help you return home as safely and as quickly as possible. We recognize that no one wants to spend more time in the hospital than necessary. However, sometimes an extended stay in a dedicated transitional care setting is essential to ensure you regain the strength and mobility needed for independent living. Our program has an impressive track record—87% of our swing bed patients successfully return home after completing the program, and on average, they stay just 11 days before transitioning back to their daily lives.

Why Choose Our Transitional Care Program?

We are proud to offer a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to post-hospital recovery, ensuring that every individual receives the best possible care tailored to their unique needs. Here’s what sets our Transitional Care (Swing Bed) Program apart:

1. High-Quality, Personalized Care

We provide exceptional, compassionate care, ensuring that you have access to a wide range of medical services, rehabilitation options, and support from a full team of skilled professionals. Our care is tailored to each patient’s individual needs, focusing on a safe and speedy recovery.

2. Expert Care Team

Our multidisciplinary team includes skilled nurses, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), care coordinators, social workers, dieticians, therapists, and providers specializing in complex care plans, pain management, and advanced wound care. Their expertise ensures a seamless recovery process.

3. Comfortable & Healing Environment

A peaceful environment plays a key role in recovery. Our facility features 15 private, spacious rooms designed to promote rest and healing. Patients can also enjoy our healing garden, patio areas, and community spaces, providing a serene setting for relaxation and socialization.

4. On-Unit Rehabilitation Suite

Last year, we expanded our facility to include a dedicated therapy space right within our medical/surgical unit. This on-unit rehabilitation suite is equipped with a state-of-the-art Dynamic PT Trainer, a versatile tool that assists in assessing and improving a patient’s ability to navigate stairs, simulate ramps, and parallel bars for walking. This innovative setup allows our skilled therapists to create real-life scenarios in a controlled and safe environment, helping patients regain their mobility before returning home.

5. Nutritious, Freshly Prepared Meals

Proper nutrition is a key part of healing, and our Eatery ensures that patients receive fresh, balanced meals that cater to their specific dietary needs. Unlike standard hospital food, our meals are carefully prepared using high-quality ingredients, providing nourishment that supports a faster and healthier recovery process. Patients can select their meal options from a diverse menu designed to meet both their medical and personal preferences.

A Hidden Gem in Our Community

Alicia Myers, Manager of Inpatient Services at Western Wisconsin Health, highlights the program’s unique value: “Our program is a hidden gem. Many people aren’t aware that this service is available right here in our community. Unlike post-hospital care in nursing homes, our Transitional Care Program offers a higher level of support in a hospital setting. Our team provides individualized care to help patients recover and return home quickly and safely.”

Former patient Ann Hoel experienced the Western Wisconsin Health difference firsthand: “I was there to receive IV medications through my PICC line four times a day after a serious illness. The facility is beautiful, but what amazed me was the partnership and collegiality of the staff. I knew they were always busy, but I never felt that from them. Western Wisconsin Health is everything a rural setting should be—competence, confidence, and caring. The entire team, including maintenance and facilities staff, went above and beyond to ensure my comfort. After a serious illness, this was a nice way to end it. There’s a lot of kindness there.”

Who Can Benefit from Our Program?

Our Transitional Care (Swing Bed) Program serves patients recovering from a variety of conditions, including:

• Stroke recovery
• Extended IV therapy
• Complex wound care
• Respiratory conditions requiring therapy
• Post-surgical recovery
• Teaching and Training requiring skilled nursing care for new healthcare needs

Let Us Help You Get Back to Living Life

At Western Wisconsin Health, we are dedicated to helping you recover, regain independence, and safely return home. If you or someone you love could benefit from our Transitional Care (Swing Bed) Program, we are here to support you every step of the way.

For more information, visit our website or call us at 715-684-1135. Let us help you heal close to home, surrounded by compassionate care and a supportive community.