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Skilled Care Unit

The Skilled Care Unit at Fairfield Memorial Hospital provides short-term skilled care nursing and services to those who require medical care, nursing care, and/or rehabilitation services.  Skilled Care is available to all Medicare, private pay, and private insured, geriatric patients.

 

Under the direction of the patient’s physician, Skilled Care can provide the following for each resident:

 

·        Physician services

·        Physical therapy

·        Occupational therapy

·        Speech Language Pathology

·        Respiratory therapy

·        Skilled Nursing services

·        Medication

·        Blood transfusion

·        Wound care (severe or multiple wounds)

 

Initial Eligibility

·        Physician order

·        Medicare eligibility benefits

·        Private insurance pre-certification

·        A daily skilled service which can only be performed by a licensed professional

• 3 day Acute Care Stay within the last 30 days

 

Facts and Information

Because Medicare financially covers the first 20 days, you must meet the criteria as identified in the “Once admitted (to remain eligible)” section to remain in the Skilled Care unit.

 

Once admitted (to remain eligible) for Medicare A Services:

·        Daily skilled service must continue

·        Patient must show progress in treatment plan

·        Have available Medicare benefits

·        Continued Private Insurance certification, if applicable

 

Plan of Care by Your Physician

The physician will review the plan of care periodically and re-certify that there is a continuing need for service.  The physician may not routinely visit you.  If in the event your condition changes or your needs change, your nurse will notify your physician.

 

Discharge

Discharge planning begins upon admission and continues until:

·        Patient has reached his/her goal in rehabilitation or is unable to progress toward goal(s).

·        Patient has improved sufficiently to care for himself/herself.

·        Families choose to assume responsibility for care.

·        Patient is hospitalized.

·        Interdisciplinary team determines care is no longer necessary.

·        Patient needs long term care, which can be provided in a nursing home or extended care facility.

 

Patient Responsibility

While you are receiving Skilled Care services, you will be encouraged to participate in your daily care unless you are unable to do so.  This will help you get better, function more independently, and learn to take care of your health needs.

 

Fairfield Memorial Hospital’s Skilled Care unit is Medicare-certified and accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.