The Pulse

Patient Information: Male, Age 79

Diagnosis: Right Ankle Fracture / Gastrointestinal (GI) bleed

History: This gentleman was referred to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation services due to weakness and reduced functional mobility after hospitalization for a right ankle fracture (from a fall) and a GI bleed. Prior to hospitalization, he used a rolling walker to ambulate and lived in a 2-story home with a roommate who helped with household tasks.

Patient Information: Male, Age 72

Diagnosis: Muscle Weakness / General Debility

History: This gentleman had a fall and was hospitalized due to a femur fracture. He experienced multiple medical complications and surgeries and was admitted to a skilled nursing facility. He was transferred to this skilled nursing facility for long-term care two and half months after his fall and was referred to therapy due to weakness, balance deficits, inability to walk and inability to perform self-care. Prior to his fall he lived at home and was independent with all mobility and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Patient Information: Male, Age 75

Diagnosis: Peripheral Vascular Disease / Falls / Muscle Weakness

History: This gentleman was referred to a skilled nursing facility with severe debility after hospitalization due to a fall at home. Following the fall, he laid on the floor for two days before being discovered by his home health nurse. At the time of hospital admission, he suffered from acute renal failure, altered mental status, and infected wounds on both legs. Prior to the fall, this gentleman lived alone, walked with a straight cane, and was independent with all self-care, household and community activities.

Patient Information: Male, Age 73

Diagnosis: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) exacerbation.

History: This gentleman was referred to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation services to address significant weakness and functional decline after an exacerbation of COPD.

Patient Information: Female, Age 69

Diagnosis: Heart Failure / Dysphagia

History: This woman, a long-term rehab center resident, was admitted to the hospital due to heart failure which resulted in dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). A feeding tube was placed and she was not allowed to eat or drink by mouth. Following hospitalization, she was referred to speech therapy with a goal to return to eating a regular diet and drinking thin liquids independently in the dining room.

Patient Information: Female, Age 80

Diagnosis: Mixed Incontinence

History: This woman, an independent living resident with a 40-year history of incontinence, was referred to outpatient therapy due to increased incontinence episodes. She had mixed incontinence (impaired urge sensation and pelvic floor muscle weakness) resulting in decreased socialization. She was considering the use of a pessary (a insertable prosthetic device that may help with stress incontinence) and took medication for overactive bladder.

Patient Information: Male, Age 77

Diagnosis: Oropharyngeal Dysphagia / Hypoxic Respiratory Failure / Childhood bulbar polio
with paralyzed vocal cord

Patient Information: Male, Age 49

Diagnosis: Pneumonia / Neuropathy

History: This gentleman was found by EMS unable to get out of bed and covered in soiled bedding with insect infestation, and reported he hasn’t been out of bed for “quite some time.” He
was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia, then transferred to a skilled nursing facility
for rehabilitation services.

Patient Information: Male, Age 96

Diagnosis: Fall / Compression Fracture

History: This gentleman was referred to a skilled nursing facility following hospitalization due to a fall in his garage which resulted in a thoracic compression fracture of the spine. Prior to the fall, he lived at home and was independent with ambulation, driving and mowing his yard.

Patient Information: Female, Age 76

Diagnosis: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) / Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) / Diabetic Neuropathy

History: This woman was referred to home health therapy services due to numerous falls, poor balance, and a decline in functional mobility. Over several months she became wheelchair-dependent in part due to fear of falling. Prior to this decline, she was independent with transfers and able to walk with a rolling walker to the dining room for meals in her assisted living facility.