Our Services

Transitional Care Program

Deer Lodge Medical Center has partnered with Allevant Solutions, a joint venture of Mayo Clinic and Select Medical, to provide the community of Deer Lodge with an enhanced Transitional Care program. This program was created by Mayo Clinic pulmonologist and Allevant Medical Director, Mark Lindsay, M.D., and is modeled on the successful efforts of the Mayo Clinic in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Sometimes you need just a little more time to recover. The Transitional Care program blends skilled nursing and rehabilitation in a caring setting to help patient's recover and gain strength to return home. Since each individual is unique, our multidisciplinary team rounds at the bedside with you, at least weekly, to ensure we meet your needs and goals.

  • “Transitional Care is a high quality, evidence-based program for patients who are well enough to leave a traditional hospital setting but still have nursing, therapy, or respiratory needs that may not be optimally met in their homes or skilled nursing facilities.” – Dr. Wayne Martin

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How do I qualify for TCU?

  • Covered by Medicare Part A or other insurance with hospital based, "skilled-care benefits" and days available for skilled level of care. Some commercial insurance offer transitional care services for a limited time.
  • Have had at least 3 consecutive mid-nights in an acute care (hospital inpatient) bed in the last 30 days. If you have been discharged to home from a hospital, but are having difficulties recovering, you can still be admitted into the program.
  • Have an ongoing need that requires skilled care.
  • Have a physician order stating a need for daily skilled care.
  • Be willing to participate in the daily skilled care program.

How long can I stay in the Swing Bed program?

You can remain in the program as long as you have therapy and rehabilitation goals to meet. Once you have reached your goals, the patient is able to return home or explore additional care options.

Our team is especially equipped to meet the needs of even the most complex patients:

  • After Complex Surgery
  • Wound Care
  • Intravenous (I.V.) Medications
  • Specialized Physical Therapy
  • Speech Therapy
  • Respiratory Therapy
    • ​Oversight to support care of patients with respiratory needs like tracheostomy (breathing) tubes and CPAP/BiPAP.

Some types of patients that could benefit from TCU are:

Patients recovering from joint replacement surgery, stroke, cardiac or respiratory illnesses, or regain strength and mobility after illness of injury.

Key Features of the Transitional Care Program:

  • A personalized plan of care
  • Excellent nurse to patient ratio
  • Comprehensive model of multidisciplinary bedside rounds that engage you, your family, and your care team to help you reach your goals
  • Hospital level nurse staffing to keep you safe and meet your needs
  • Large - private patient rooms
  • Promotes a home-like environment accommodating family and individualized activity programs
  • Our on-site physician, therapy, radiology and laboratory will address all your medical needs

Patient Success Stories:

Kenny Fleming's TCU Experience

Don Cappa's TCU Experience

For more information, please contact our Transitional Care Nurse Coordinator, Amy Dreesen, RN, BSN

at (406)-846-7730 or akdreesen@dlmed.org