10/16/2025
Paul, 62, had no prior medical history before he was involved in a serious automobile accident. On March 28, 2025, he was airlifted to Providence Mission Hospital, where doctors discovered he had a cerebral aneurysm, a splenic laceration, and a traumatic brain injury. He was placed on a ventilator to protect his airway.
After spending more than two months at Providence Mission Hospital, Paul was transferred to Kindred Hospital Westminster on May 30, 2025, to continue his recovery. At the time of his transfer, he required ventilator support, hemodialysis, a chest tube, and was unable to stand or walk.
With the support of respiratory therapists, Dr. Sweidan, and the interdisciplinary care team, Paul was weaned off the ventilator, successfully decannulated, and transitioned to using oxygen through a nasal cannula.
When he arrived, Paul was unable to consistently follow commands or mouth words, and he did not initially show the potential to participate in physical or occupational therapy. Over time, with reevaluation and persistence, he began physical, occupational, and speech therapy three times a week. At first, he required maximum assistance from two caregivers to move from sitting to lying down, but he was able to sit at the edge of the bed for five minutes. During this time, Paul received nutrition through a PEG feeding tube.
Through steady progress, Paul regained alertness and orientation, began communicating and following commands, and worked with therapists to regain mobility. By the time of discharge, he was able to transfer to a wheelchair and had advanced to an easy-to-chew diet with thin liquids.
After 81 days at Kindred Hospital Westminster, Paul was discharged to an Acute Rehabilitation Unit (ARU), decannulated, on a regular oral diet, communicating clearly, and participating actively in therapy. He looks forward to continuing his rehabilitation journey and is grateful for the care and support he received during this challenging time.
To read more success stories from patients of Kindred Hospital Westminster, please visit http://Kindrd.care/6181f9Ij7.
