<<Is it possible to go home directly from the hospital, or do you have to
go thru a Vencor-type facility prior to returning to home care?>>
I spent 6 weeks in ICU and came directly home from there with my trach and
vent; however, my situation is so different from your mother's.
<<What kinds of things should we be asking Vencor (or any other facility)?>>
i suggest that you write out all of these questions and insist that someone
who is familiar with your mother's situation sit down with you and answer
them. These are very good questions and you deserve to have them answered.
Really ask them anything that comes to your mind. Remember no question is dumb
or stupid. This is all new to you and it is normal to have lots of
reservations and question about all of these changes.
<<Do any of you have experience with Vencor - in St. Louis or at another
location?
Are there other facilities beside Vencor in the St. Louis/South Central
Illinois area?
Do you see Vencor as a long term "nursing home" type care, or are they
as aggressive about getting patients back into a home setting as they
say they are?>>
Can't help you with these questions, Lisa.
<<I see that a lot of you use home health agencies. We've been told by
the doctor and the hospital staff that the vent/trach cannot be taken
care of by a home health agency, but then they say she can go home with
a vent. Is this double-speak, or what am I not understanding?>>
Perhaps your health coverage is different from mine, but when I first came
home with my trach and vent, a home health nurse came for about a week to help
me and to make sure that I wasn't having any problems doing my care. Trach
care and vent care is very simple once you start to feel comfortable with it.
It's a little nerve-wracking at first, but then it becomes "old hat."
<<Can you eat/drink orally with a trach/vent in place?>>
Yes, I can. I am fortunate because I am only on my vent for sleeping or bed
rest; otherwise, I plug my trach tube off and go about my business. I rarely
eat while hooked up to my vent, but I have done it.
<<Do you have any experience with feeding tubes?>>
Only when I was in the hospital. I don't have one now, but I believe that some
on this list do.
<<I know this has been long-winded, but I appreciate any feedback you can
give. >>
No need to apologize, Lisa. I really admire you for having the courage to ask
the questions. Take these to your health care professionals and insist that
they answer them in a way that you can understand. Your mother is very lucky
to have you! Good luck to you, your mom, and your family.
Carol in Massachusetts