Mr. Law: Back to Normal

Mr. Law, 64, came to Kindred Hospital The Palm Beaches from a short-term acute care hospital. He was referred to Kindred Hospital specifically for ventilator weaning and continued care.

Upon admission, Mr. Law was experiencing respiratory failure secondary to bilateral pneumonia and empyema, a collection of pus in the space between the lung and the inner surface of the chest wall. He was on full ventilatory support, was lethargic and very weak and was not following commands.

Kindred’s interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, specialists and therapists evaluated his condition and began a course of treatment tailored to his complex medical needs. Multiple courses of antibiotics were begun to clear his infections so that weaning could begin. The respiratory team began the weaning process first on Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (SIMV) with pressure support, a method of partial ventilatory support used to assist liberation from mechanical ventilation. He then progressed to C-PAP trials, which were also successful.

As his pleural effusions began to resolve Mr. Law started to improve clinically and the weaning process continued. He was soon able to be off the ventilator using a Passy Muir valve. The talking progressed to laughter and a few days later Mr. Law was successfully decannulated. The addition of the Passy Muir valve trials exhilarated an already motivated Mr. Law. Being able to communicate with family members at last was a very positive step in his recovery.

During his treatment at Kindred Hospital, Mr. Law was able to successfully wean from the ventilator and gained enough strength to walk and wave goodbye to the staff, thanking them for their help in regaining his normal health