Data-Driven Insights and Benchmarking Tools for CAHs
Stroudwater has developed a national program for CAH swing bed clinical outcome measures. Based on a set of patient-level data elements collected by the interdisciplinary team during a swing bed episode of care, participating hospitals can analyze, report and benchmark their performance relative to other CAHs, and perhaps more importantly, against PPS post-acute providers such as long-term care facilities and skilled nursing facilities. The secure, HIPAA-compliant web-based application is a turnkey opportunity for CAHs to participate in and to support a vital service offered to rural communities.
The Swing Bed Quality Reporting Program provides CAHs with month over month trending of quality metrics to assist in performance improvement activities, quarterly benchmarking to peers across the US, and marketing materials to promote their swing bed program.
To ensure core competencies, CAHs participate in a comprehensive education and training program prior to utilizing the Swing Bed Application. Upon completion of the training and education process, CAHs have unlimited, 24/7 access to the CAH Swing Bed web application that provides for the collection, reporting and peer-group benchmarking of data elements (for all swing bed patients, not just Medicare beneficiaries).
Critical Access Hospital Swing Bed Programs Outperform Skilled Nursing Facilities on Quality Performance
Regulatory Compliance
Swing Bed programs are unique in their regulatory compliance needs. These important patient care services must adhere to hospital (PPS or CAH) Conditions of Participation (CoP) and the Long-Term Care guidelines specific to skilled nursing services as well as individual state requirements.
Stroudwater offers several solutions to assist organizations to ensure their existing Swing Bed programs meet necessary regulatory requirements in preparation for a survey, maintain ongoing continuous readiness or assist a new Swing Bed program build a regulatory compliance framework.
These services include, but are not limited to:
Swing Bed CoP education webinar(s)
Swing Bed Survey Readiness evaluation (on-site/virtual)
Swing Bed Survey Readiness Bootcamp (on-site/virtual)
Swing Bed Billing and Coding Support
Hospital swing bed units have a unique set of billing rules that are different from inpatient billing practices. Stroudwater will facilitate a training course via webinar to explain these differences and the requirements needed for a swing bed unit to receive reimbursement for the services. Key objectives include:
- Identify requirements for swing bed qualifying visits
- Demonstrate specific billing rules required for a swing bed unit as compared to traditional inpatient billing and CAH swing bed billing
- Identify nuances in revenue cycle unique to Government vs. Commercial payors for Swing Bed Patients
- Provide best practices for Prior Authorization and other Revenue Cycle Front End activities
System Swing Bed Strategy
Swing bed programs are an essential service for hospitals and the rural communities that they serve. But we know many rural hospitals affiliated with health systems, and the health system themselves, face challenges related to fully optimizing the swing bed program.
By collaborating with rural hospitals and CAHs, Stroudwater is uniquely positioned to significantly improve these processes with our evidence-based approach for swing bed optimization and growth at both the local and system level.
Our approach centers around:
- Making recommendations that your health system and rural hospital can implement in a timely manner and delivers the value you need
- Keeping the patient, their quality of life and safety at the center of every recommendation
- Providing expert clinical and quality consultants as trusted advisors
Webinar Series
Stroudwater has cumulated a swing bed webinar series designed to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to optimize swing bed services. This hands-on series covers key aspects including regulatory compliance, effective care planning, and best practices for program design. Whether you’re new to swing bed programs or looking to enhance your existing practices, this swing bed webinar series offers valuable insights and practical tools to improve patient outcomes and streamline operations.
Swing bed topic covered, include:
Swing Bed Overview
Regulatory Requirements
Program Design
Quality/Clinical Outcomes
Financial Impact
Marketing for Growth
The Swing Bed Quality Outcomes Program Team
