A 77-year-old male veteran with a medical diagnosis of respiratory failure requiring intubation and subsequent tracheostomy, underwent physical therapy for 23 sessions over a 7-week period in an acute care setting. Treatment was provided by a student physical therapist under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist. At the time of the initial evaluation the patient presented as somnolent, responding to one-step commands only 5% of the time. The patient was progressively assessed using the Medical Research Council-Sum Score, the Intensive Care Unit Mobility Scale, the Well’s Criteria for Deep Vein Thrombosis, the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care “6-clicks” and the Six-Minute Walk Test as patient's cognitive status improved over time. The primary goals were to increase the patient’s strength, endurance, and restore functional mobility. A plan of care was established to address the patient’s reduced functional strength, dependence in functional mobility, as well as limited ambulation. Interventions focused on early mobilization, functional strengthening, endurance training, and task-specific activities. The patient responded well to treatment and was decannulated by week 6. The patient met all long-term goals during his hospital stay and was discharged to an acute rehabilitation facility to continue improving upon his functional capabilities.
- Acute care rehabilitation for a 77-year-old patient with respiratory failure requiring tracheostomy
- Toshiaki Hensley
- Konrad Dias (Advisor)Rafael Escamilla (Committee Member)Toran MacLeod (Committee Member)
- College of Health & Human Services
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT); Physical Therapy; California State University, Sacramento; 12/04/2025; 2025
- California State University, Sacramento
- 10/13/2026
- 99258311232801671; https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12741/rep:14425
- Doctoral Project
- English
- 41