Barbara Bedward of Lancaster affectionally calls Grant Regional Health Center her “second home”. That is the way she describes how comfortable and cared for she feels following several long stays in the hospital’s Swing Bed program.

“I’m happy to say that my health is stable and I’m able to remain living in my home,” explains Barbara. “And I owe a lot of that recovery to the excellent care and compassion of staff at Grant Regional.”

Barbara was hospitalized three different times in the past year, and she was fearful that she may need to go to a nursing home or assisted living facility for care. Because she lives alone, she knew it was important for her to focus on her health and regain her strength if she wanted to remain independent.

In January, Barbara was experiencing cardiac and respiratory issues that led to an ER visit followed by a 21day hospital stay. “The staff at Grant Regional literally saved my life,” she describes. “I can honestly say that if it weren’t for Dr. James, the nursing team and especially Jamie and Destani in Respiratory – I wouldn’t be here today. Dr. James was so thorough and caring. Jamie and Destani were even thinking of me and my condition when they weren’t at work, trying to figure out what could help me. I later learned that because of their determination, they solved the mystery and helped Dr. James diagnose bronchiectasis. No one gave up on me…not for a minute.”

As she continued to improve, she transitioned to Swing Bed, a Medicare program that allows patients more time to recoup and recover. The Swing Bed program is designed to provide individualized, in-hospital care that involves a multidisciplinary team of physicians, physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, speech therapy, nursing, dietitian, pharmacy, and social worker – all working together to help patients regain strength and independence.

“I absolutely loved everyone who took care of me,” Barbara said smiling. “By now, they all know me by my first name. I was so comfortable during my stay. My room was spacious and beautiful in the new expansion of the hospital.” For Barbara, she felt the Swing Bed program was such a blessing because it allowed her to focus on rest, recovery, and healing with a strong support system that helped her through it all.

“I didn’t realize how much I needed the Swingbed program, until I saw how much it helped me. With daily physical therapy, respiratory therapy, good nutrition, and other support, I felt so much stronger,” Barbara explained.

When she first came, she required a bipap machine to help her breathe. Because of this, she was mostly confined to her bed and unable to walk. She required help with everything.

With exercise and activities through the Swing Bed program, Barbara went from barely walking 10 feet at a time to an increase of 35% mobility by the time of discharge. Her family couldn’t believe when she went home how much farther she could walk – all thanks to her 6-day Swing Bed stay. They were so grateful for her care that they surprised hospital staff with a pizza party and delicious bundt cakes for dessert.

“Barbara is always a ray of sunshine,” said Shelly Hampton, Lead In-Patient Physical Therapist. “She never loses her sense of humor no matter what is going on around her. She puts her full trust in the healthcare team and is always willing to work hard. Barbara always surpasses my expectations because of this hard work.”

Grant Regional’s Swing Bed Program is an important local service for our community. Patients do need to qualify under Medicare or WI mandate guidelines. Those who have had at least a three-day acute hospital stay can take advantage of the Swing-bed program. Patients who benefit from this program are typically those who need rehabilitation to regain strength and mobility following a stroke, injury or surgery such as joint replacement or need IV therapy or complex wound care. Even if patients have surgery at another hospital out of town and aren’t quite ready to return home, our Swingbed program allows patients to receive extended care here until they feel stronger.

Barbara says there’s no place like home but is very thankful for the great nursing care and motivating rehab staff that helped her regain mobility and allow her to return home. She continued her progress with some assistance from home health and by returning to Grant Regional to do outpatient pulmonary therapy to help increase her strength and mobility.

For more information about Grant Regional Health Center’s Swing-bed Suites, go to www.grantregional.com or call (608) 723-2143 to learn more.