Patients Age: 67
Admission Date: 9/15/17
Admitted From: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Discharge Date: 10/20/17
Discharged To: Private Home
Length of Stay: 35 days
Reason for Stay: Deep thickness burns to bilateral plantar surface of soles of feet
How did patient hear about Bethany Center for Rehabilitation and Healing? Case Manager

Details of Experience:

Henry is a 67-year-old male who presented to Bethany Center after a ten night stay at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He sustained deep thickness burns to the plantar surface of the soles of bilateral feet and noticed that the bottoms of both feet began turning black/necrotic along with drainage, thus his need to be admitted to the hospital. He underwent surgery and had skin grafts taken from his right thigh area to aid in the healing of the burns to both feet.

Upon admission to Bethany Center, Henry had been told that due to his history of diabetes mellitus along with diabetic neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease, that there was a strong chance that the skin grafts to his feet would not be successful and that it was possible that he may lose both of his legs below the knee. With this being the case, Henry was introduced to Todd and Dennis with the Comprehensive Amputee Rehabilitation Program so he would be armed with knowledge and support should amputation be in his future. He felt confident that should he need to have both legs amputated in order to live a healthy life, that’s what he would do. Both Todd and Dennis were extremely impressed with his mood and mental wellness regarding the subject and told him that they would be available should he need them.

During his stay, Henry participated in physical and occupational therapy and progressed very well with strength and managing pain from the skin graft site. Also, he underwent a procedure to promote vascularity to his bilateral lower extremities which proved to be extremely helpful in his healing process. His progression in therapy continued and to everyone’s surprise, the wounds/burns to his feet also began to heal and the thought of amputation was finally no longer. Bethany’s wound team continued with their treatment and as Henry continued getting stronger and more independent with his activities of daily living, discharge planning began to take place.

After over a month of wound care, therapy and amazing nursing care, Henry was discharged to his own home. He was extremely thankful to our therapy staff, wound care nurses and nursing staff for the great care he received and that he was able to leave without the thought of having to have bilateral below the knee amputations.