Melvin: From Hospital to Home

Melvin was admitted to a short-term acute care hospital in December with severe COPD exacerbation, congestive heart failure, and pneumonia. The disease in Melvin’s lungs was so advanced that it made it impossible for him to breathe without the assistance of a ventilator.

He remained in the hospital’s CCU until he transferred to Kindred Hospital Louisville at Jewish Hospital for ventilator weaning and continued care.

Once admitted to Kindred Hospital, Melvin’s care and treatment were focused around his complex pulmonary care, which required a continuous Bi-PAP machine, along with his need for physical rehabilitation.

The extended time in bed during his hospital stays had weakened Melvin’s body to the point he needed considerable work to strengthen himself before he could walk and function independently again. Through the combined efforts of the medical management team and rehabilitation team at Kindred Hospital, Melvin’s condition improved enough that he was discharged home in February.

Now at home, Melvin is taking full care of himself at home and only requires oxygen while he sleeps.

Upon discharge, Melvin was extremely happy with his medical care and therapy at Kindred.

“If you go to Kindred and you do what they tell you to do, you will get better,” he said.

Melvin is thankful to all those who helped with his treatments and rehab services.