Rosemary's Story
When Rosemary Tringali, 64, of Chesterfield, Mich., arrived at Select Specialty Hospital – Macomb, she just wanted to get back to what she loves most: Sebastian, her husband of 40 years; her children; her grandchildren and gardening.
Three weeks earlier, Rosemary didn’t feel well and went to McLaren Macomb Hospital in Mount Clemens, Mich., by ambulance. Once there, she suffered a cardiac arrest and her heart was stopped for nearly seven minutes before she was revived. She was intubated and connected to a ventilator that breathed for her. A feeding tube provided nutrition. The medical team worked to stabilize Rosemary’s condition but she was still critically ill.
Rosemary needed long term acute care. Her family chose Select Specialty Hospital because of the positive reviews and outcomes.
Upon arrival, Rosemary was unable to breathe, eat, speak or walk on her own. Her ability to think clearly also had been affected by the cardiac arrest and the medications she was taking.
A physician-led interdisciplinary team that included specialized nurses and therapists collaborated on a plan to help Rosemary get off the ventilator, get stronger and in time, get back home.
Rosemary’s respiratory, speech, physical and occupational therapy began immediately. As she describes it, it was “a no games approach,” which she appreciated.
Respiratory therapists immediately began working toward her first goal to breathe independently. Rosemary had a tracheostomy – a surgically-created slit in her airway – with a tube that was connected to a ventilator. Each day, the team monitored her as they lowered the ventilator settings or turned it off for short spurts and let her own lungs do more of the work. The goal was to gradually improve her strength and stamina.
Rosemary also gained strength through her coordinated regimen of therapy. Early on, she was so weak that she struggled just to move herself in bed. As soon as Rosemary arrived at Select Specialty Hospital, her care team got her out of bed and sitting in a chair. Being upright engages core muscles, improves breathing and prevents pressure sores. Even sitting in a wheelchair and moving her arms and legs as she watched TV or talked with a visitor was therapeutic.
Soon Rosemary was balancing herself on the edge of the bed, then standing with assistance.
As she got stronger, she practiced activities she once did at home so easily, such as brushing her teeth or combing her hair.
Rosemary celebrated her first significant milestone one week after arrival, she no longer needed the ventilator. She said other key milestones were when she was able, with assistance, to take a shower, take her first steps and hear her voice again after getting her tracheostomy removed.
Rosemary’s family and friends were a constant source of encouragement through their visits, prayers and kind words, and she also leaned on her faith for strength every day.
She commended the nurses, nurse aides, therapists and others who cared for her at Select Specialty Hospital.
“They have very, very good staff,” she said. “They are kind and helpful and they had a high level of respect for the patients.”
After four weeks at Select Specialty Hospital, Rosemary was breathing on her own, eating and taking steps. She transferred home with home health to continue her recovery.
Three weeks earlier, Rosemary didn’t feel well and went to McLaren Macomb Hospital in Mount Clemens, Mich., by ambulance. Once there, she suffered a cardiac arrest and her heart was stopped for nearly seven minutes before she was revived. She was intubated and connected to a ventilator that breathed for her. A feeding tube provided nutrition. The medical team worked to stabilize Rosemary’s condition but she was still critically ill.
Rosemary needed long term acute care. Her family chose Select Specialty Hospital because of the positive reviews and outcomes.
Upon arrival, Rosemary was unable to breathe, eat, speak or walk on her own. Her ability to think clearly also had been affected by the cardiac arrest and the medications she was taking.
A physician-led interdisciplinary team that included specialized nurses and therapists collaborated on a plan to help Rosemary get off the ventilator, get stronger and in time, get back home.
Rosemary’s respiratory, speech, physical and occupational therapy began immediately. As she describes it, it was “a no games approach,” which she appreciated.
Respiratory therapists immediately began working toward her first goal to breathe independently. Rosemary had a tracheostomy – a surgically-created slit in her airway – with a tube that was connected to a ventilator. Each day, the team monitored her as they lowered the ventilator settings or turned it off for short spurts and let her own lungs do more of the work. The goal was to gradually improve her strength and stamina.
Rosemary also gained strength through her coordinated regimen of therapy. Early on, she was so weak that she struggled just to move herself in bed. As soon as Rosemary arrived at Select Specialty Hospital, her care team got her out of bed and sitting in a chair. Being upright engages core muscles, improves breathing and prevents pressure sores. Even sitting in a wheelchair and moving her arms and legs as she watched TV or talked with a visitor was therapeutic.
Soon Rosemary was balancing herself on the edge of the bed, then standing with assistance.
As she got stronger, she practiced activities she once did at home so easily, such as brushing her teeth or combing her hair.
Rosemary celebrated her first significant milestone one week after arrival, she no longer needed the ventilator. She said other key milestones were when she was able, with assistance, to take a shower, take her first steps and hear her voice again after getting her tracheostomy removed.
Rosemary’s family and friends were a constant source of encouragement through their visits, prayers and kind words, and she also leaned on her faith for strength every day.
She commended the nurses, nurse aides, therapists and others who cared for her at Select Specialty Hospital.
“They have very, very good staff,” she said. “They are kind and helpful and they had a high level of respect for the patients.”
After four weeks at Select Specialty Hospital, Rosemary was breathing on her own, eating and taking steps. She transferred home with home health to continue her recovery.