Chrissy: Persistence Leads to
Recovery
Chrissy, 37, was admitted to Kindred Hospital on a ventilator with a
diagnosis of atypical Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Kindred’s interdisciplinary
team of caregivers went to work, beginning with efforts to wean Chrissy from the
ventilator, but her weakened state presented a challenge. Attempts to use a
Passy-Muir valve to help her speak also were unsuccessful due to lack of pulmonary
muscle strength. The medication she was taking for pain management added to her
fatigue.
The nursing and respiratory
staffs began working together to wean Chrissy from the vent while taking into
account her weakened state and her pain. They worked for two months before they
reached a milestone – she could tolerate 11 straight hours off the vent.
Rehabilitation therapists
also worked with Chrissy to help her regain her strength. She had no strength upon
admission and major sensory impairment, but with the help of the therapy team –
and support from her sister – Chrissy began making slow but remarkable
progress.
After months of
interdisciplinary team coordination of care, Chrissy finally weaned off the
vent and had regained enough strength and ability to move to be discharged to
an acute rehabilitation facility. Then she moved to a Kindred skilled nursing
facility where her recovery could continue.
Finally, she was discharged
and moved to Texas
with her family. She was able to walk short distances and was looking forward
to continued success.