3 replies to this topic

[Orchid]

Hey all,

It's a long story, but our family is trying to find an LTAC or LTACH (long term acute care hospital), as it seems the existing hospital wants to kick out my stepbrother, but he is not ready for rehab, and rehab prefers he not be on a vent.

BTW, his vent status is odd. He was able to go for 24 hours at one point, but then the rehab requested the hospital put him back ON the vent (???!@!!) to increase lung capacity for rehab, and wanted him to have big pressures for 12 hours a day. Some new theory they've got about increasing lung capacity. So...he was put back on the vent, even though the docs at his existing hospital seemed to want him off before they spoke with rehab. Now, his lung xrays are looking bad again (of course he has fluid and some gram negative pneumonia too) so now even his hospital pulmonologist ordered him back on. So, a lot of flux on this issue of ventilator weaning-- and the hospital seems to want to discharge him to a local LTACH rather than continuing to take care of him.

Anyone have any opinions on this?? Seems to me this is stupid and the rehab should just take him and help him get weaned off while he is there...it's a big VA SCI facility, so surely they handle people who have high cervical injuries and are ventilator dependent...

Is this a common scenario? Should we attempt to resist? Or is this appropriate and a good move?

And how does one review LTACs? Ones I am seeing do not seem to specialize in SCI patients, although many mention ventilators.

Appreciate any thoughts on this.

Thanks

[wheeliebear75]

I'm not sure specifically about HIM. But I have heard of other quads having to go back on vent once they had gotten off of it. So I'm not sure if that alone should have you thinking they're making things worse not better. As for how WELL he is cared for....the patients with the families who will go toe to toe with Dr.s & but heads with insurance agents/reps are much more likely to get what they need than will those who's families are not around as a constant reminder/thorn in their side (sometimes that is what you HAVE TO be). I'm not military but I do know that there is always someone higher up on the chain of command & this INCLUDES DOCTORS & VA HOSPITALS! If you're not satisfied with how his care is going go bitch your way to the top til you get some explanations AND you & them are BOTH seeing eye to eye on your step-brother's care. I don't know if he was hurt in combat or as a civilian accident but regardless of the HOW/WHY the same services that are there to support active servicemen & their families can still be a wealth of help for you guys in this time of crisis. Keep us informed & we can be of more help the more specifics we get.

[Tetracyclone]

Carefully study the following thread as this member put together many excellent resource tips for vets.

http://www.apparelyz...386#entry223386

[wheeliebear75]

Lord how we all miss her!