Deborah Kennedy, age 58, was admitted to Carolinas ContinueCARE Hospital at Pineville for vent weaning, monitoring of renal function, nutritional support and rehab. Her primary diagnoses were acute respiratory failure s/d to ARDS, bilateral pneumothoraces and acute kidney injury.

Situation:

Deborah Kennedy, age 58, was admitted to Carolinas ContinueCARE Hospital at Pineville from Atrium-Main. Her primary diagnoses were acute respiratory failure s/d to ARDS, bilateral pneumothoraces and acute kidney injury. She had a past medical history of COPD, tobacco use and liver disease. She originally presented to the ER with increased shortness of breath, became severely encephalopathic and required
intubation. She was extubated, later re-intubated secondary to ARDS and had bilateral chest tubes placed.

She underwent trach and peg placement and was treated with antibiotics for sepsis. Ms. Kennedy was transferred to our LTACH for vent weaning, monitoring of renal function, nutritional support and rehab. Prior to her arrival, she was living at her home in Lincolnton, North Carolina with her spouse. Her goal was to be able to return home and attain her previous level of functioning.

Solution:

While at Carolinas ContinueCARE Hospital at Pineville, Ms. Kennedy was followed by physical, occupational and speech therapy, dietitian, wound care nurse, wound care NP, ENT, and Pulmonology.

Results:

During her 22-day stay at Carolinas ContinueCARE Hospital at Pineville, Ms. Kennedy was weaned from the vent, decannulated and on 2 liters of oxygen. She passed a swallow evaluation and began a regular diet. She progressed with physical and occupational therapy and was able to wheel herself around the halls, participate in activities of daily living and feed herself. She was evaluated, accepted into the Acute Rehab program at Mount Holly and discharged there with the goal to return home.