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Our program is devoted to treating patients who require ventilator assist secondary to a traumatic event or disease process such as:

• Brain Injury       
• Spinal Cord Injury    
• MS
• Pneumonia        
• Stroke
• Chronic Lung Disease   
• ALS
• COPD

Cardinal Hill’s state-of-the-art facility and skilled, caring professionals create an atmosphere that supports the ventilator dependent patient and family’s recovery and progress.

 Acute Ventilator Program Flyer

Criteria for Appropriate Referrals
Potential to participate in our acute rehabilitation program including a combination of:

• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Therapy
• Ages 18 and older

Inpatient Acute Ventilator Program
Our ventilator dependent program was initiated to treat patients with the potential of being weaned off the ventilator.  Our goal is to wean each patient off the ventilator; however, for patients who remain on the ventilator our treatment focuses on educating the patient and family on living a successful community based lifestyle.  Our team of ventilator specialists evaluates each patient individually to determine their physical, cognitive and social status to determine the appropriate clinical pathway.  Together utilizing a multidisciplinary philosophy, appropriate goals are established by the patient and treatment team.
 
Specialty Trained Treatment Team
Our staff has completed specific training in treating ventilator dependent individuals.  In addition to the Patient, Family and Caregiver; members of the team may include:

• Pulmonologist          
• Physician           
• Internist           
• Infectious Disease Specialist   
• Rehabilitation Nurse      
• Respiratory Therapist       
• Physical Therapist
• Occupational Therapist
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Care Manager/Social Worker
• Psychologist/Neuropsychologist
• Dietician
• Pharmacist
• Chaplain

Family members are included in the treatment team, and we encourage active family participation as the patient works to achieve functional goals.  A rehabilitation physician and nurse are available 24 hours a day, attending to each patient daily.  Every patient is treated as a individual while working to achieve personal rehabilitation goals. 

Individual counseling, support groups, family education and referrals for community resources are all available.  Family support is a key element in a successful rehabilitation experience.

Program Features
Along with Medical Management; the plan of care may include:

• Ventilator Weaning Program           
• Diaphragmatic Pacing               
• Innovative Technology and Equipment       
• Medical Management             
• Customized Wheelchair Seating and Orthotics  
• Support Groups and Education
• Diet and Medication Teaching
• Training and Adjustment Counseling
• Swallowing Evaluation and Retraining
• Patient and Family Education
• Therapeutic Community Reentry Activities          
• Equipment Management and Education
• Home Evaluation       

Intensity of Services
A pulmonologist, rehabilitation physician, respiratory therapists and nurses are available 24 hours a day and attend to each patient daily.  Each patient is treated as a n individual and will work with our healthcare professionals to achieve their rehabilitation goals.  Patients will participate in intensive therapy up to 3 hours of therapy a day, Monday – Friday; with additional therapy on the weekends, as determined by the treatment team.

Follow-Up Services
The care and support a patient and their family receive at our inpatient level does not end upon discharge from Cardinal Hill.  Each patient’s local and referring physician receive copies of their Discharge Summary.  Referral to Home Care or Outpatient Services will be made based on the patient’s individual needs. 

Follow-up visits with our physicians are also scheduled.  It is at this time the physician and therapist may recommend changes in the patient’s home program, medical management, therapy services or equipment.

In addition to the inpatient program, we also offer:

• Outpatient Therapy              
• Outpatient Medical Clinic
• Home Health Care          
• Wellness Program

If you have any questions regarding this new program, please contact the Ventilator Program Manager, Dan Hudson at (859)254-5701, x5305 – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or the Director of Admissions Jodi Smith at (859) 367-7234 – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

To make a referral and for more information
call (858) 367-7120