Case Study 1 - Multiple Trauma post Motor Vehicle Accident

This 51 year old female was involved in a serious rollover motor vehicle accident.  She was admitted to Maricopa Medical Center on 7/26/08.  She was evaluated and found to have suffered a traumatic brain injury, pulmonary contusions, and multiple broken bones, which included fractures of the neck, ribs, elbow, and hand.  She required a tracheotomy and mechanical ventilation, as well as, multiple surgeries for the fractured bones.  She was placed in a halo brace in order to stabilize the fractures in her neck.  She was transferred to the Acute Care Unit at Trillium Specialty Hospital – East Valley on 8/14/08 for continuation of care.  She received Trillium’s mechanical ventilation weaning protocol, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care, halo care, as well as a full course of IV antibiotics.  In just a few short days of coming to Trillium, she was successfully weaned from the ventilator on 8/18/08.  Her tracheotomy was capped on 9/25/08 and on 9/30/08 she was transferred to the Trillium Transitional Care Unit for continued rehabilitation with the interdisciplinary team of therapists.  Her tracheotomy and Halo were both successfully removed on 10/29/08.  This patient completed a few additional days of strengthening with Trillium’s rehabilitation department before successfully returning home with her sister on 11/8/08.

Summary of this case:
This patient presented to Trillium in complex medical condition. An excellent outcome was achieved due to the inter-disciplinary team approach, which addressed some of her needs immediately and reserved others (such as the rehab therapies) after her recovery process allowed her to tolerate the therapy. Achieving this entire beginning-to-end process at Trillium undoubtedly sped the patient's recovery and prevented a lapse in continuity and momentum. The Trillium staff were pleased that the patient was able to return home to independence.