Gail’s Return Home

Gail, 64, was living happily in retirement, volunteering and tutoring neighborhood children when one day, she woke up with significant difficulty breathing. As the day progressed, Gail’s difficulty worsened and she was admitted to the emergency room at Research Medical Center.

Gail was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, which quickly developed into an episode of respiratory failure. She was initially treated conservatively, but experienced cardiopulmonary arrest. She was placed on mechanical ventilation and given a tracheostomy a few days later.

With all the complications, Gail also developed renal failure requiring dialysis. Further workup revealed Gail suffered from a sinus infection as well as pneumonia that progressed to Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

Once Gail was stabilized, her doctors transferred her to Kindred Hospital Kansas City for continued care.

Upon admission March 24, the interdisciplinary team at Kindred Hospital went into immediate action. The respiratory team successfully weaned Gail from the ventilator 5 days later.

With the restorative care of Kindred’s rehabilitation team, Gail continued to gain strength. Eventually, Gail was able to get out of bed and take a few steps with a walker. With her strength and stamina improving, her renal function improved so that she no longer required dialysis and she was able to be weaned from her tracheostomy tube.

Several days later, Gail was discharged home with her husband with assistance from a home health agency.

Gail continues to improve today and is able to travel with her husband, play with her dogs and spend time with her grandchildren. She says her goal is to walk back into Kindred Hospital on her own to thank all of the staff that helped her along her path to recovery.

Gail is just another shining example of the remarkable interdisciplinary care delivered by the staff of Kindred Hospital Kansas City.