Truck Driver Andrew's Recovery after a Serious Accident
When Andrew arrived at Kindred Hospital from his traumatic crash, he was reliant on a ventilator. He was not awake and alert and unable to follow commands. After working with his interdisciplinary care team, he was able to discharge to an acute inpatient rehabilitation facility.
A Patient Success Story from Kindred Hospital Indianapolis North
Andrew is a semitruck driver who was involved in a crash in which his truck rolled over. Andrew was intubated on-site, then admitted to a hospital. He was diagnosed with acute respiratory failure as well as a type of traumatic brain injury called a diffuse axonal injury in which the brain shifts rapidly inside the skull. He also suffered both a subdural hemorrhage (brain bleed) and subdural hygroma (a collection of brain and spinal fluid) in the space between the brain and skull. He eventually received a tracheostomy to continue ventilation, a PEG (feeding) tube, a chest tube, and IV drips to manage blood pressure. He was transferred to Kindred Hospital Indianapolis North for vent weaning, medical care, and rehab.
Upon admission to Kindred, Andrew was not awake and alert and unable to follow commands. He began restorative care for range-of-motion exercises and out-of-bed mobility in a cardiac chair. Eventually, he started waking up and weaning off the vent. Andrew also began physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
At the time of discharge, Andrew had made major gains in his recovery. He was off the vent, decannulated and breathing on his own. He was also off all IV antibiotics. In addition, Andrew could stand, perform self-care tasks, and transfer to a chair with assistance. With the support of a speech therapist, Andrew returned to a regular diet, no longer relying on tube feeding. Andrew was discharged to a community rehabilitation hospital.
Andrew’s wife, Lisa, was very happy with all of the care he received at Kindred. She is ready for the next chapter and to eventually get him home.
Learn more about: Medically Complex Care
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