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Ruben's Recovery from Respiratory Failure

When Ruben arrived at Kindred Hospital, he required high levels of ventilator support. 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 El Paso

Ruben, 27, suffered a headache and cough for a couple of days. His family spoke to him at night, and the next day, Ruben was found unresponsive. EMS was called, and Ruben was intubated (a tube was inserted to support breathing) in a local hospital’s Emergency Room.

Ruben was diagnosed with acute hypoxic respiratory failure, metabolic acidosis, sepsis, and lower lobe pneumonia. He ended up in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on a mechanical ventilator, as well as on antibiotics and pressors (medications used to increase blood pressure). While at the ICU, he developed an acute kidney injury and metabolic encephalopathy, brain dysfunction caused by illness.

At Kindred Hospital El Paso, Ruben received significant care from the respiratory therapy team. When he was admitted, he required high levels of ventilator support due to respiratory failure. The respiratory therapy team provided ongoing assessment and ventilator management, and took part in interdisciplinary rounds to help guide Ruben’s care.

Throughout multiple weaning attempts, Ruben demonstrated gradual improvement in respiratory function. Ruben ultimately tolerated transition to a tracheostomy collar, indicating increased independence from mechanical ventilation. With continued progression, he successfully completed speaking valve trials and advanced to continuous speaking valve use, demonstrating improved airway stability, respiratory endurance, and ability to manage secretions. At the time of discharge, he remained stable on a tracheostomy collar with continuous speaking valve tolerance. He was discharged to an acute rehabilitation facility with a plan for permanent removal of the trach.

His uncle says that Ruben is looking forward to going home with his family.

Learn more about: Medically Complex Care

 
 

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