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A photo of the medical staff
A photo of the medical staff

Swing Bed Program


Let us help you Get Back in the Swing of Things!


At Bunkie General Hospital, we understand there are times a patient requires extra recovery time after a lengthy illness, hospital stay, or surgery before heading home. For those patients, we offer a comfortable and close to home option to continue your rehabilitation... our Swing Bed Program!

"Swing Bed" is a hospital-based program for patients who no longer need inpatient acute care but still require rehabilitation or skilled nursing care before returning home. Our Swing Bed Program helps patients reach their highest potential for independence by providing the continued help they need to return home safely.

Our Swing Bed Program offers services that are customized to each patients' needs and may include, but not limited to:


24-Hour Skilled Nursing Care
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Speech Therapy
Respiratory Therapy
Nutritional Services
Wound Management
Long-Term IV Antibiotic Therapy

Patients who could benefit from our Swing Bed Program may include, but not limited to:


Those who need to regain strength and mobility after an illness, injury, or surgery
Those who are receiving long-term IV therapy
Those who need wound management
Those who are recovering from a stroke
Those who need diabetes management and education after new diagnosis
Those who need tube feeding or nutrition management and education after new placement

Returning Home:


The care team monitors each patients' progress to determine how long care is needed. Because your needs are unique, Bunkie General Hospital staff will work with you and your family to make all the necessary arrangements needed for your safe return home, such as:

Work with you throughout your stay to plan for your safe return home
Arrange for home-based services as needed
Arrange for alternate living arrangements if needed
Coordinate other community services and family help as needed
Coordinate the purchase of home medical equipment and supplies

Insurance Coverage:


To qualify for admission to our Swing Bed Program, you must meet the criteria for Medicare and have a minimum stay in acute care of 3 midnights, or you must have approval from your insurance provider. Swing Bed care is covered by Medicare, most Medicare Advantage Plans, and commercial insurance plans. Each has its own criteria for the program.

How to get into Bunkie General Hospital's Swing Bed Program:


Talk with your provider to determine if continued skilled care is needed and a referral can be sent to the Case Management Department of Bunkie General Hospital. One of our Case Managers will review your information along with our providers, check your insurance benefits, and if you qualify, will arrange for admission into our Swing Bed Program.

For more information or to refer a patient, please contact Lashayla Greenhouse, Care Coordinator. You may call M-F between 8 am and 3:30 pm. For after hours and weekends, please send an email with a brief description and contact information. She will be happy to talk with you to evaluate if our Swing Bed Program is right for you!

Lashayla Greenhouse
Care Coordinator
(318)346-6681 Ext 665
(318)346-7090 Fax
lashaylag@bunkiegeneral.com







Swingbed Testimonial

Joyce Browning Tribute

Written by: Gilbert Browning (husband)

"Joyce Browning died July 29, 2018. She had been a resident of the Bunkie General Hospital Swing Bed Program for most of her last year of life. Joyce was so much more than a patient at Bunkie, and here's why.

At 85 Joyce broke her hip in a fall and was not able to rejuvenate her body, despite extraordinary efforts by rehab personnel at Bunkie. Joyce's entire life was one of suffering and ill health, but never something others knew about. Despite the daily ravages of rheumatoid arthritis, serious a-fib, amputated of 1st joints in her toes (all had been removed), a weak heart, a congenital blood disorder, and several other surgeries, Joyce never once fell into a mode of self- pity. She was optimistic and forward looking, always making others the focus of attention. At Bunkie, one might say Joyce became a poster child for the exceptional professionalism, attention and loving care bestowed on all residents (yes, they too were more than patients). Even down to the maintenance staff, employees consistently came in and out of Joyce's room to check on her. The walls were covered with cards, notes, and stuffed toys; rarely was Joyce alone during her waking hours. The head cook came by often to ask what she might want to eat.

Four times while at Bunkie General, Joyce had to be rushed to Rapides General for specialized attention to her cardiac problems. The last time there, after a week in ICU, Joyce overheard her Doctors conferring about what to do upon her release from ICU. She summoned me to her bedside and said in a feeble voice "Babe, make them take me to Bunkie. That's where I want to be. It's home". Joyce died 4 days later."