Emily: An Amazing Recovery

Emily was admitted to Kindred Hospital Wyoming Valley with traumatic injury to her left hand as a result of a fall at home. She also required wound care for pressure areas on sacral and right ischial areas. The plastic surgeon had debrided her hand, and the wound size was 5.8 x 5.5 cm with tendon exposure. Emily was being treated with negative pressure wound therapy and required IV Dilaudid during her dressing changes.

During her four-week stay at Kindred Hospital, she was monitored daily by a primary care physician for wound healing and aggressively treated by her plastic surgeon to close the open area on her left hand. An evaluation by the rehabilitation department was ordered to begin her discharge planning early in her stay to assure that she would be able to return directly to her home.

When she began physical therapy, she was very unsteady on her feet. She required assistance from the therapist to stand and ambulate 15 feet.

Although limited by the wound on her left hand and her decreased ability to use an armrest, she was able to stand with contact guard by the end of her stay. She increased her ambulation to over 1,600 feet and was able to go up and down 10 steps without any assistance. Emily also received occupational therapy, including edema control, contracture prevention, splinting, range of motion and strengthening/conditioning.

Emily was discharged to home with assistance from her family. Both the ischial and sacral stage one areas were completely healed and the debrided area on the left hand was closed with a flap repair, requiring application of topical creams and follow up with the plastic surgeon after her stay at Kindred.

An intensive rehabilitation program enabled Emily to be safely discharged directly to home and avoid an additional transfer to another level of care. She was able to perform her daily activities, improving her ability to function at home.

Emily’s family was educated by the wound care nurse regarding prescribed wound care and oral medication for pain management. They were very grateful for the successful outcome for their loved one.