September 6, 2023

WEBSTER CITY | Van Diest Medical Center (VDMC) is proud to announce their completion and graduation from the 5 Star Swing Bed Growth Academy™, presented by Custom Learning Systems (CLS). The trademarked program is an innovative educational platform focused on achieving a breakthrough in the census, quality, and experience for patients receiving skilled care services.

Participation in the Academy assists healthcare facilities in gaining an impressive community reputation for a quality program recognized for clinical excellence. Completion of the 5 Star Swing Bed Growth Academy™ marks outstanding progress towards improving the overall skilled care patient experience.

Swing beds are dedicated beds for skilled nursing care, allowing patients to continue medical care after being discharged from an acute care facility.  Van Diest Medical Center offers post-acute services with its Skilled Care Program. This care is offered in VDMC’s Inpatient Unit and is for those patients who may need additional rehabilitation therapy, long-term antibiotics, wound care as well as other treatments. Weekly care conferences are held with the patient, family members, case manager, social worker, physical and/or occupational therapist, and other caregivers to monitor progress. Patients receive the quality care they need to strengthen and enhance their healing.

As of May 2023, the Academy has been implemented in 10 different healthcare organizations spanning six states.  Custom Learning Systems is actively involved with the National Rural Rating System and will be assisting in implementing additional recognition for skilled care patient satisfaction surveys.

Through the 25-week program, VDMC team members were brought together to both learn and share best practices for this service line, offering collective ideas for potential new growth and enhanced patient satisfaction.

Members of the VDMC Skilled Care Team include:

Anna Anderson, Director of Quality Management

Lauren Jones, Inpatient Nurse Manager

Denise Helmick, Utilization Review Nurse

Lori Foster, Director of Marketing & PR

Jade Williams, ARNP

Maureen Carver, Case Manager

Jordan Wagner, Pharmacy Director

Shelby Nokes, Social Worker

Kevin Bultena, Rehabilitation Services Manager

Amy McDonough, Chief Nursing Officer

Kristi Zwiefel, Dietitian

 

 

For More Information:

For questions or for more information on Skilled Care at VDMC, please call:

515.832.7727 - Nurse Case Manager

515.832.7717 - Social Worker

https://www.vandiestmc.org/specialties/skilled-care

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