Patients Age: 70
Admission Date: March 5, 2017
Admitted From: 
Discharge Date: May 8th, 2017
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay:
Reason for Stay: Two-part displaced left humeral fracture with delayed healing.
How did this patient hear about Cortlandt Healthcare? Hospital referral

Details of Experience:

Nancy Paskin was admitted to Cortlandt Healthcare on March 5, 2017 with a diagnosis of a two-part displaced left humeral fracture with delayed healing. Ms. Paskin is a 70-year-old female who lived alone prior to her fall. She also was diagnosed with additional co-morbidities including obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, bilateral lower extremity cellulitis and bilateral knee arthritis. Her left humeral pain upon admission was a 7/10 and her knee pain was a 6/10 with any upright standing or walking. She shared that she fell while walking in a restaurant on a wet floor. Prior to her falling, Nancy was independent in all aspects of daily living including driving.

Nancy received physical and occupational therapy six days per week and concentrated on decreasing the pain in her knees and left shoulder, increasing her lower body strength, and increasing her dynamic standing balance core strength. Nancy was introduced to adaptive equipment assistance with one-handed techniques to help with all dressing and toileting tasks by her occupational therapist. This presented a challenge as Nancy was non-weight bearing on her left arm and was unable to use it for any care activities. Physical therapy worked alongside Nancy on her knee pain by applying both heat and ice packs daily prior to her therapy session and occupational therapy applied heat and ice to her left shoulder.

After several appointments with her orthopedist, Nancy’s weight bearing status was lifted and she was able to work towards a discharge plan. The largest obstacles were the ability to get into her house, completing three stairs with two rails and also getting into her car. Nancy participated in step-ups in the parallel bars before attempting the stairs and was successful upon discharge. Nancy’s family also brought her own car to Cortlandt so that the patient could complete a car transfer with her own car. Occupational therapy began with pendulum exercises and advanced to full weight bearing activities with her left arm prior to discharge.

Nursing interventions included pain management daily prior to therapy session, management of her lower extremity cellulitis and assistance with her activities of daily living on the unit.

Nancy successfully discharged to her home on May 8th, 2017, further continuing therapy and home care at home. Nancy has contacted us since her discharge and shared with us that she is doing great! Congratulations, Nancy!