Iredell Memorial Hospital is a long-established healthcare facility dedicated to serving the needs of its community with comprehensive and compassionate care. Among its many services, the hospital features Iredell Skilled Nursing, which is dedicated to providing exceptional short-term and long-term nursing care in a supportive environment. The skilled nursing unit at the hospital has been developed to fill an important gap in the continuum between acute hospital care and traditional community-based skilled nursing facilities, offering transitional care to patients who are not acutely ill enough to remain hospitalized but still require more care than can be given at home.
The Iredell Skilled Nursing Facility began its journey more than thirty years ago, introducing the area's first hospital-based, short-stay nursing care service. Initially starting as an 18-bed facility, it has since expanded to occupy two floors and offers a total of 48 beds after additional bed licenses were acquired from a local nursing home. This expansion has allowed Iredell Memorial Hospital to meet the growing need for skilled care within the hospital setting, leveraging all the services and resources available on-site to ensure that patients receive thorough and closely monitored rehabilitation and nursing care.
Admission to the Hospital-Based Skilled Nursing Facility (HB/SNF) operates as a separate service, requiring a physician's order. Even though the skilled nursing facility is physically located within the hospital, patients are admitted to the unit as a distinct transfer from the main hospital service, reflecting the specific skilled care guidelines set at the federal level. The connection to the hospital ensures that patients have access to a full spectrum of healthcare support as needed, cultivating an environment focused on safe and effective transitions toward greater independence.
Patients admitted to Iredell's HB/SNF can participate in a robust daily activity program designed to nourish wellbeing and promote social engagement. The One West Dining Room within the facility hosts a range of activities such as crafts, games, gospel music sessions, various fun classes, Bible study, a breakfast club, weekly church services, and dedicated family time. This thoughtful array of options illustrates the emphasis placed on holistic care, supporting both emotional and physical healing during a patient's recovery period.
Visitation at the facility is available both indoors and outdoors during regular visiting hours, with additional flexibility when necessary to fit visitors’ needs. Should a resident be on transmission-based precautions, such as for COVID-19, the facility continues to allow visitors with the necessary precautions in place, including the use of personal protective equipment and adherence to core infection prevention practices. The commitment to person-centered care is evident not only in medical practices but also in the attention paid to residents’ social and spiritual needs, fostering a supportive and vibrant atmosphere for healing and recovery at every stage.
