The Pulse

As speech language pathologists, we are all familiar with the word “competence.” After a good deal of time invested in educational pursuits followed by a nine-month period of supervision, we are awarded our Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). The reality is, when I received my CCC, I could hardly consider myself competent in any area of practice.

Patient Information: Male, Age 87 Diagnosis: Pressure Ulcer / Type II Diabetes

History: This gentleman was transferred to a skilled nursing facility for long-term care with a long standing pressure ulcer. Nursing referred him to therapy for wound care intervention due to this non-healing stage IV (full thickness) coccyx (base of the spine) pressure ulcer despite being treated weekly be a wound care doctor and receiving daily wound care by nursing for almost 2 years (643 days). He also has type II diabetes and poor sitting posture which contributed to his slow healing.

Patient Information: Female, Age 81

Diagnosis: Distal Femur Fracture / Fall Risk / Dementia

History: This woman was hospitalized for a surgical repair of her right femur, which she fractured in a fall. Following hospitalization, she was referred to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation to address decreased functional mobility and safety. Previously, she also had a hip and knee replacement on the same side. Prior to her fall she lived at home with her spouse and walked independently, including up and down four steps at the entrance of the home.

What do you do in your free time? 
I enjoy hiking/trail running with my husband and traveling with my two college aged kids whenever we get a chance! I particularly like spending time in the mountains and exploring new places. 
 
How long have you been with ACP?  
Just getting ready to celebrate my 9^th ACP Anniversary!

"Patients enjoy the features and 'seeing' their successes over time. Using the Synchrony sEMG allows us to obtain more reliable data for a scientific approach to therapy.”

Patient Information: Male, Age 57

Diagnosis: Cognitive Communication Deficit / Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease /
Chronic Heart Failure

History: This gentleman was admitted to a skilled nursing facility and referred to speech therapy for decreased cognitive function and failure to thrive following bilateral above knee amputations. Previously, the gentleman lived at home.

It is estimated that over 30 million individuals (9.4%) in the US population has diabetes, while more than one in four do not know they have the disease. A staggering 84.1 million adults have pre-diabetes and, of these individuals, 9 out of 10 are unaware of the condition. Diabetes affects multiple parts of the body and causes many complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney dysfunction, diabetic neuropathy, orthopedic problems, gum disease, and eye disease. Managing blood glucose levels, a healthy lifestyle and physical activity can help prevent these complications.¹

Patient Information: Female, Age 83

Diagnosis: Acute Encephalopathy / Chronic Heart Failure / Morbid Obesity

History: This woman was referred to a skilled nursing facility due to declining health, functional mobility, and ability to care for herself. Thirteen months prior, she was hospitalized due to encephalopathy and complications from chronic heart disease, she was then referred to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation. She had poor adherence and participation in therapy. At that time, her son and daughter-in-law took her home despite requiring assistance for all transfers, mobility, and most daily living activities. Once home, her activity level and health further declined and she was re-admitted to the hospital and subsequently back to the skilled nursing facility. Prior to initial hospitalization, she was able to propel herself in her wheelchair up to 100 feet and was able to assist with transfers and self-care.

ACP’s MFAC Hand Control protocol provides for electrical stimulation-assisted muscle contraction to assist with the development of functional movement of superficial and deep muscles. To maximize the therapeutic effect of the intervention, the electrical stimulation delivered by the MFAC Hand Control protocol should be set to elicit a grade 3-5 muscle contraction and should be administered along with a strong volitional contraction by the patient.

What do you do in your free time? 
My husband plays in a band in Memphis, and my daughter plays violin, so music is a big part of our lives!  We travel a lot, especially to go see live music. We also foster for several rescues. We have been a “foster failure” 3 times, so we now have 3 fur babies that on the weekends we love to take to the Tennessee River.