Eloise's Recovery from Respiratory Failure
When Eloise arrived at Kindred Hospital, she was reliant on a ventilator. After working with her interdisciplinary care team, she was able to discharge to home with home health.
A Patient Success Story from Kindred Hospital Santa Ana
Eloise went to a hospital with respiratory distress and was found to have acute on chronic respiratory failure secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Her condition became severe enough to require intubation and mechanical ventilation, and she also was diagnosed with RSV pneumonia. An attempt to extubate Eloise was made, but she required reintubation, and, eventually, a tracheostomy. Her course was further complicated by feeding difficulties, which required NG tube feeding. She was transferred to Kindred Hospital Santa Ana for the continued care of her complex medical condition.
Eloise received respiratory therapy at Kindred, and after two weeks, she was put on a cap. She was able to tolerate being capped with 3 liters of oxygen via nasal cannula. She had difficulty breathing, but that was resolved after breathing treatments and suction. Eventually, Eloise was successfully decannulated.
Eloise also received physical and occupational therapy to help with her mobility and ability to perform activities of daily living. With a focus on endurance training, transfer training, gait training, balance retraining, and energy conservation techniques, Eloise made significant progress. She gained the ability to walk 250 feet using a rolling walker with someone standing by to assist her. Eloise’s endurance and overall participation in daily activities also improved.
Before being discharged, Kindred’s team helped Eloise prepare for a safe transition back home, educating her caretakers on energy-conservation strategies, fall prevention, pacing techniques, breathing strategies, and the safe use of assistive devices.
As she left the hospital, Eloise walked to her wheelchair and was able to transfer herself with minimal assistance by her daughter into their car with her own oxygen tank.
She was discharged home with home health.
Learn more about: Respiratory Care
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