Skilled Nursing Care / Swing Bed Care

Our coordinated care approach maintains continuity with high‑quality clinical standards while offering the comfort and convenience of recovering closer to home. 

Patients at our smaller, rural MercyOne facilities for skilled nursing care can expect: 

• Personalized care with lower nurse‑to‑patient ratios, allowing for more individualized care and stronger patient‑provider relationships.
• On‑site rehabilitation services, including physical, occupational and speech therapy, to support recovery after surgery, illness or injury.
• Comprehensive clinical support, such as laboratory testing, pharmacy services, respiratory therapy and wound care management all within the same location.
• Access to advanced imaging when needed, including digital MRI and low‑dose CT technology.
• Closer‑to‑home recovery, enabling patients to stay near family, friends and their community—improving emotional support and reducing travel burdens.
• Smooth transfers and consistent care teams, thanks to integrated discharge planning and shared clinical standards across MercyOne.
• Private rooms and patient‑centered amenities, such as room‑service–style meals and nutrition support, enhancing comfort during recovery.

Patients who are candidates for skilled nursing/swing bed care include, but are not limited to:

• Surgery patients who have had joint replacements or other orthopedic surgery and need frequent physical therapy.
• Stroke patients who need to improve their level of functioning with continued therapy.
• Cardiac patients who need skilled activity programs following a heart attack or acute episode of congestive heart failure.
• Patients requiring wound management/ sterile dressing changes.
• Patients with long-term illnesses such as cancer or immune deficiency disease.

Your inpatient discharge planner will help you understand your skilled nursing care options.