Charles: Team Treatment Leads to Recovery

Charles was enjoying his retirement after 32 years in the air-conditioning business. He liked to spend his time gardening and doing things with his wife. A routine colonoscopy showed that he had developed rectal cancer. In February, he began to receive chemotherapy and radiation in order to shrink the tumor prior to surgery.

In July, Charles had colon surgery. Almost immediately, the problems started. He developed Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome, which resulted in multiple organ failure. He ended up on a ventilator, needed hemodialysis, a chest tube for lung drainage, and became septic with bacteria in his blood. He was gravely ill.

Charles was transferred to Kindred Hospital Santa Ana to be treated for these complications. The high level of care provided by the specially-trained staff enabled his condition to stabilize. Eventually the Respiratory Therapy department weaned him off the ventilator. He again was able to breathe on his own and converse with his wife.

Likewise, all of the other clinical specialties helped Charles. The wound care team treated his decubitus ulcer, a common complication that develops after patients spend many days in bed, unable to move.

The Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy departments also participated in his care – they worked on strengthening his muscles, building up his endurance, and helping him care for his own daily needs. The Registered Dietitian developed a personalized diet plan for him that would aid in the healing of his lungs and wound, and that would provide him with the proper nutrients needed for his recovery. The nursing staff cared for him, and answered all the questions and concerns that were voiced. Physicians from almost every medical specialty provided input and designed therapies and treatments for him.

Gradually, Charles recovered. At this point in his healing process, he is breathing on his own, has been off hemodialysis for almost a month, and is looking forward to walking on his own very soon.

He and his wife are grateful to everyone at Kindred Hospital Santa Ana. They said that they hoped they wouldn’t have to pick a favorite employee or favorite department – it would be an impossible task.

Kindred Hospital Santa Ana’s success is apparent in stories like this as well as in our quality scores – our patients and families rate our quality of care at 92.8 percent and 98 percent recommend Kindred. In 2010 our hospital also received the Quality Respiratory Care Recognition (QRCR) from the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).