What is Transitional Care?
Transitional Care is a specialized service for patients no longer needing
a traditional acute- care hospital but are not ready to return to home.
These patients still require additional skilled medical care, nursing
care, or rehabilitation services.
Admission Inquiries:
Amy Dreesen, RN, BSN
Phone: 406-846-7730
Fax: 406-415-1042
akdreesen@dlmed.org
Our team is equipped to care for patients with complex needs, including:
-
After Surgery: Cardiac, neuro, orthopedic, abdominal, and more
-
Respiratory: Specialized treatment and support of respiratory therapy
-
Wound Care: Special attention and skill for wound healing
-
Intravenous (I.V) Antibiotics: To treat a variety of infections
-
Specialized Therapy: Including physical, speech, and occupational therapy
-
Teaching and Training: Education on management of new procedures or medication management (i.e.
new peg placement, newly diagnosed diabetic, new ostomy, heart failure)
-
Coordination and Ongoing Assessment of Complex Plans of Care: RN oversight and team collaboration to modify care plans as frequently
as patients need
Why Deer Lodge Medical Center?
Our program is called Transitional Care because it is a model focused on
helping patients transition from a hospital setting to home. These patients
are requiring more therapy to set them up for success when they return
to their home after suffering from an illness and/or injury. We use hospital-
level resources, team processes, best practices, and extra clinical education
to support this “transition.”
This program makes it possible to complete your hospital stay closer to home! Since most patients receive this care under Medicare, this level of care
is sometimes also referred to as “Swing Bed.”
We provide:
- A personalized plan of care
- Bedside rounds that engage you, your family, and your care team to help
you reach your goals
- Hospital-level nursing staff to keep you safe and help you recover
- A home-like environment that accommodates family and participation in activity
and rehabilitation
- On-site physicians, therapy, radiology, and laboratory that will address
your specific needs
How do I qualify for Transitional Care?
- Have at least a consecutive three-night qualifying stay as an acute care
patient within the last 30 days
- Require a skilled need such as physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational
therapy, nursing therapy, teaching and training, medication management,
observation and assessment
- Medicare A & B; other types of insurances need pre-authorization, but
our team can help determine if you qualify under the Medicare guidelines
DLMC Outcomes: (January 2020 - February 2022)
Average length of stay is 15 days
Nurse to patient ratio is 1:4
77% of patients return to home independently
4.4% of patients were readmitted to an acute facility less than 30 days
4.9 out of 5 people would recommend this program to others

Patient Success Stories:
Carole Kovacich TCU Experience
Kenny Fleming's TCU Experience
Don Cappa's TCU Experience
Previous TCU Patient Satisfaction Comments:
"I could not have wanted better care or nicer people. It was because
of everyone taking care of me that I have been able to recuperate so quickly!"
"Care team help is excellent. Good food. Couldn't ask for better
care."
"Give all the nurses a hug for me and thank you for everything. You
guys have a very special place there."
"I cannot make any recommendations. If you have to come to this hospital,
you are lucky! I Have never been in a better hospital. Thank you for your
hard work."
"Even if I stayed with you for another month everyone from top to
bottom was very cheerful and helpful. Thank you!"
"I have been very pleased with all of my cares being taken care of.
Thanks for my speedy recovery."
For more information, please contact our
Transitional Care Nurse Coordinator, Amy Dreesen, RN, BSN
at (406)-846-7730 or akdreesen@dlmed.org
