Success Stories

Her condition was further complicated by morbid obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and a post-surgical abdominal abscess.

Upon admission, Davoris was immediately placed on daily ventilator weaning protocol. Her team of respiratory, speech, physical and occupational therapists and nurses worked together to help Davoris regain her strength and towards the goal of weaning her from the ventilator and removing the tracheostomy tube.

At first she made slow progress with weaning, however through therapy and diuresis she was able to lose over 100lbs and progress to high humidity tracheostomy collar. After downsizing her breathing tube, Davoris was able to begin speaking and eat a regular diet. Soon afterwards she progressed to completely weaning from the ventilator and breathing with only a nasal cannula. Two weeks later the tracheostomy was completely removed.

As her strength increased, Davoris was able to begin sitting up, standing and transferring to a chair with assistance. She progressed to being able to walk with a walker and was able to complete her bathing and dressing with minimal assistance, gaining more independence each day.

It was through commitment, teamwork and the caring and competent staff - along with strong family support - that Davoris was able to transfer from Kindred to a rehab facility to continue her journey to recovery. All of us wish Davoris all the best and hope she is able to complete regain her health and quality of life!

 

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As part of her course of treatment with the goal to wean her from the ventilator, her Respiratory Therapists used specialized lung therapy techniques, including breathing exercises and cough maneuvers. Everyone who cared for her provided daily support and encouragement for Ms. Hernandez to achieve her next milestone.

Ms. Hernandez was successfully weaned off the ventilator after only nine days, and the next treatment goal – to strengthen her voice and improve her swallowing – was achieved through a daily routine using the Passy-Muir speaking valve. In just a matter of days, Ms. Hernandez was speaking, swallowing without complications and eating a regular diet.

Her team also worked diligently to help her regain her strength and mobility. Her daily routine of physical and occupational therapies was successful as she was able to begin walking with a walker. As she got stronger and gained confidence in her abilities, she progressed to showering, grooming, and dressing herself independently. Before she was released, Ms. Hernandez was able to have her tracheostomy tube completely removed.

Ms. Hernandez’s hard work and determination, coupled with the great teamwork, care and compassion of the Kindred Hospital staff restored her ability to care for herself as she moves on to the next step of her journey to recovery.

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He was immobilized with broken bones, fractured ribs and a punctured lung. “Somehow I was able to wiggle around and get the cell phone out of my pocket,” he said. He called his wife, and within an hour a medical helicopter was taking him to a short-term acute care hospital. He stayed there in the Intensive Care Unit for seven weeks and was then admitted to Kindred Hospital. “Really, by that point he was still in critical condition,” his wife said. “He was totally dependent on a ventilator to breathe. The people at the hospital had done everything they could – we just needed to go somewhere where they had expertise in caring for vent patients.” Almost immediately, the caregivers at Kindred Hospital began rehabilitation therapy and the process of weaning John from the ventilator. “He had been on his back for seven weeks, and gradually they kept having him do a little more at a time,” his wife said. “The walking helped him strengthen his lungs.” “I felt like I was making progress, absolutely,” John said. “I’d heard of Kindred before, but I didn’t really know what they did.” Six weeks later, John was released to home care to fully recover. “By the time we left, he was walking, breathing, swallowing and eating,” his wife said. “And it was the teamwork that was great.” “The care was excellent,” John said. “Everybody knew what they were doing and everybody worked together.” “Just excellent.”

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