Patients Age: 74
Admission Date: 12/21/16
Admitted From: Overlook Medical Center
Discharge Date: 1/20/17
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay: 31 Days
Reason for Stay: COPD with multiple complications
How did this patient hear about Chatham Hills? Hospital referral

Details of Experience:

Ed was admitted to Chatham Hills Subacute Care Center on December, 21 2016 from Overlook Medical Center Hospital with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation with multiple complications. His medical history included him being found unresponsive, and was subsequently intubated due to acute chronic respiratory failure. He had pulmonary, cardiology and endocrinology consultants. He tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and was started on broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage. On December 16th he was successfully extubated.

Ed’s successful recovery:

Prior to his admission, there were concerns about Ed’s pacemaker working properly with two leads off. His doctors were quite nervous that he wouldn’t be able to participate in therapy without fainting. The team at Chatham Hills were able to rise to the challenge and usher Ed successfully through his rehabilitation and ultimately back home.
When Ed was admitted to Chatham Hills, he required maximum assistance with all ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living), bed mobility, and transfers. Ed was unable to ambulate due to decreased stamina and weakness. As time passed, Ed made slow but steady progress via restorative, adaptive and compensatory strategies. Initially, Ed could only walk 20 feet using a rolling walker and required stand-by-assistance. He was unable to negotiate steps. By the time he left, he was walking more than 350 feet independently using a rolling walker and was also able to navigate 15 steps independently. This enabled him to return home, which was his goal. It was through Ed’s hard work and dedication to his therapy sessions that he made such great achievements; he was a pleasure to work with.

Ed was always eager to improve and would always be up for the challenge. He used continuous oxygen and a BIPAP machine at night. He learned how to manage his oxygen during his stay here at Chatham Hills. As he was getting ready to discharge home, Ed required less assistance on the unit and was ambulating independently within the Chatham Hills Subacute community. Ed enjoyed eating lunch and dinner in the dining room while conducting lively political discussions with other community members. He was also involved in all of the daily recreational programs and made the best of his time!

Ed considers Chatham a “home away from home” as he continually comes back to visit with friends and especially with his roommate.