-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Olson <oly(AT)execpc.com>
To: Lisa Shashek <lisa(AT)cassens.com>
Cc: vent-users(AT)eskimo.com <vent-users(AT)eskimo.com>
Date: July 4, 1998 6:50 PM
Subject: Re: [VENT-L] Mom to Vencor - Need advice
>
>
>Lisa Shashek wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>>
>> I'm not a vent user, but I'd appreciate any advice, suggestions you can
>> give...
>>
>> My mother is 63 years old. Twenty years ago she suffered a closed head
>> injury. She has some slight movement in her left arm (with a almost
>> continuous tremor) and can move her left leg off and on a footstool.
>>
>> She spends most of her time in a jerry chair, wheel chair or a hospital
>> bed. We have 24 hour home care for her. We use a combination of
>> caregivers and an occasional home health agency visit. We've been able
>> to keep her at home for 20 years with no major problems.
>>
>> She cannot "speak" because she cannot get sufficient force behind her
>> words. She eats table food and drinks. However, ever since the
>> accident, she coughs quite a bit when eating and drinking. We have
>> never had a problem with her aspirating anything into her lungs.
>>
>> Now she is in the hospital for a severe urinary tract infection which is
>> now under control. She has a trach and is on a ventilator. However,
>> they are concerned about her ability to breath deeply enough and
>> possible aspirations of food and drink.
>>
>> The doctor has suggested she be placed in a Vencor hospital in St.
>> Louis, MO. We can't seem to get a definitive (or even waffling) answer
>> as to how long she may be in Vencor, or if she'll ever be able to return
>> home again. I know that many people exist on home/portable ventilators,
>> but I'm confused after talking to her doctors and the ICU nursing staff.
>>
>> Due to my Mom's physical condition, she will not be able to
>> maintain/operate the ventilator herself, but I believe that her family
>> and caregivers can be trained to do so.
>>
>> Questions:
>> ----------
>> 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 went home directly from the hospital.
>
>> What kinds of things should we be asking Vencor (or any other facility)?
>
>Anything and everything that you have questions or concerns about.
>
>> Do any of you have experience with Vencor - in St. Louis or at another
>> location?
>
>Can't help you there.
>
>> 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?
>
>They obviously have no experience with home care. I'm on a vent 24hrs a
>day, so someone always has to be with me. I guess I should mention, I'm
>quadriplegic. In all the years I've been home, I've used nursing agencies
>independent nurses and even trained people that have no medical backround
at
>all. The word "liability" will be the response, but you should inquire as
>to why you and some of your mother's caregivers can't be trained on using a
>portable ventilator at home, right where she is now. It seems kind of a
>waste to have to ship your mother all the way to St. Louis just to get
>ventilator training.
>
>> Can you eat/drink orally with a trach/vent in place?
>
>Yes. No problem. I wouldn't think your mother would have problems if she
>can already eat and drink.
>
>> Do you have any experience with feeding tubes?
>
>Yes, when I was in the hospital. I don't know if you will need to unless
>your mother isn't eating enough. If she only needs it for a short time,
>they can feed a tube into your mother's stomach through her nose and then
>just remove it. If she needs it long term they will put it directly into
her
>stomach. This requires more care but it still not difficult to manage.
>
>Eric
>