Swing Bed Program to Return to Northwest Medical Center

Coming soon! Northwest Medical Center will be re-opening our Swing Bed Program. Plans are already in motion to bring back this much-needed service to our community. The Swing Bed Program is an important piece in the health care service we provide and we look forward to once again being able to offer this valuable program to our patients. 

What is the Swing Bed Program?

NWMC Swing Bed Program is a short stay program designed for patients discharged from our facility, or any other hospital, following an acute illness, injury or surgery, who still need time and physical strengthening before going home. The Swing Bed Program eases the transition from acute care to home by providing patients with access to highly trainedand caring medical professionals close to home. Our swing bed patients are cared for in spacious, private rooms.

Meet our Swing Bed Team

(Front Row L-R) Janet Pollard, Occupational Therapy, Rachael Jones, Physical Therapy (Back Row L-R) Tina Sherman, Activities Director, Kathy Wright, RN, Mandy Taylor, Director of Case Management, Angela Tidwell, RN, Case Manager/Swing Bed Coordinator

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Executives Check Progress on Northwest ICU Upgrade/Relocation Project

As the new ICU project at Northwest Medical Center continues to progress, executives from Davis Architects and Robins & Morton Construction visited the hospital on Wednesday, June 24. Shown are (L - R) Josh Cain, Sr. Project Manager, Robins & Morton Construction, Jim Hartsell, Vice President, Davis Architects, Michael Windham, Northwest CEO, Julee Potter, Executive Vice President, Davis Architects, and Steve Reed, Director of Plant Operations, as Construction Foreman, Barry Rogers updates the group on the project.

The new ICU area is designed to offer optimal protection with minimal exposure to infectious diseases for staff, patients and families. Once the ICU upgrade/relocation project is completed, Northwest Medcial Center will have an advanced facility, well-equipped to manage the risks posed by COVID-19 and other infectious diseases and provide excellent care for our ICU patients.

Special Precautions Remain In Effect Due to COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining 6-feet social distancing and has recommended wearing cloth face coverings in public when physical distancing is difficult to maintain. Studies illustrate how COVID-19 can be spread through speaking, coughing, and sneezing--including by asymptomatic people. This is especially important in Alabama where we are experiencing significant community transmission.

Please be mindful of your surroundings while out in the public

To better protect our patients, visitors and staff the following restrictions remain in effect and will be strictly monitored.

Visitation Limitations are as follows:

Visitors are restricted from Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Patients. The 1 family member per patient limitation will be at the discretion of Administration or Infection Control.

Visitors are restricted from our Senior Care unit until further notice.

Visitors are limited to 1 per patient in the ER, Med/Surg and with OR cases. This is to be strictly enforced.

Social Distancing is required (6ft) when possible.

Dining room will remain open at this time, a face mask is required by all visitors and employees when going through the serving line.

Employee and Visitor Screening:

Employees are to Pre-screen for elevated temperature and symptoms daily before starting work.

Visitors will be screened as they enter the facility, by way of the front lobby and the ER. They will be asked to sanitize their hands and put on a face mask. Masks are required at all times throughout the facility.

Visitors who refuse to follow hospital policy will be asked to leave the facility.