Patients Age: 74
Admission Date: 9/19/2017
Admitted From: Hudson Valley Hospital Center
Discharge Date: 12/7/2017
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay: 81 Days
Reason for stay: Increase strength, receive treatment for COPD and manage hypertension

Details of Experience:

Suzanne Kamrowski came to The Emerald Peek Rehabilitation and Nursing Center focused on one thing: regaining her independence. Diagnosed with COPD, Suzanne was anxious but motivated to fully participate in rehabilitation in order to go home. Sandy Gomas, the RN Care Manager, and Katie Cullum, Director of Concierge Services, welcomed Ms. Kamrowski and her family at Emerald Peek. The team, including Tom, our Rehabilitation Director, met with Suzanne and her family within the next 12 hours to inform her of what her next steps would be.

Weeks 1-4 of the Patient’s Stay

One of the first team members to meet with Suzanne was Katie Foulk, Director of Therapeutic Recreation. Katie learned Suzanne was not interested in large group activities, but her personal activities meant a lot to her. For example, Suzanne is passionate about her faith, so Katie ensured
Suzanne would be offered opportunity to meet with George, our Interfaith Minister, who visits weekly. Suzanne also expressed strong interest in pets, so Katie scheduled Suzanne with Shirley, an Emerald Peek Recreation Aide who provides Pet Therapy. As for Rehabilitation, Suzanne was evaluated by Dr. Oluwatosin (Tosin) Osibajo, Occupational Therapist, who found Suzanne in need of lower body strengthening as well as help with lower body dressing, toileting and hygiene tasks. Tosin set long term goals for Suzanne to perform all of these independently.

Julie Torregrosa, Physical Therapist, set short term goals of bed mobility safe ambulation of up to 60 feet, and ascending/descending 4 stairs. Julie, however, knew Suzanne was capable of more, so she set long term goals of ambulating 150 feet and ascending/descending more than 15 stairs before discharge. Suzanne expressed strong determination in meeting her short term goals and the results showed it: She met all of her short term goals within 4 weeks of arriving at The Emerald Peek.

Weeks 5-8 of the Patient’s Stay

Suzanne’s social rehabilitation was just as impressive as her physical rehabilitation. She fully participated in all community activities, including larger groups 3-4 weeks into her stay, including a cooking group and the community’s Fall Festival. Her progress with her long term goals was amazing as well. Not only did Suzanne meet all of her long term goals, she discharged able to ascend/descend 20 stairs and ambulate 200 feet safely.

Within a week of Patient’s Discharge

Suzanne was discharged from our care on December 7, 2017. When asked how was her stay at The Emerald Peek, Suzanne responded, “Extraordinary. People use that word too much sometimes, but for this, it fits. I came in so anxious and wanting so badly to walk on my own again, I never thought I would. The team here, especially Rehab, really is amazing. Look what they did. I am able to walk into church on my own. I am so grateful to everyone.”