Kindred Hospital Philadelphia

When Michael began to feel sick and developed a serious cough, he had to call a friend after he started to have difficulty breathing. He was taken to an acute care hospital and diagnosed with COVID-19. He remained at the facility until he was able to be transferred to Kindred Hospital where he could receive respiratory therapy and begin his rehabilitation. At the beginning of his stay Michael was unresponsive and needed full assistance from his caregivers for all his needs. H...is entire team of caregivers worked together to help Michael on his long journey, and day by day he made progress in all areas of his recovery until he was finally able to be discharged from Kindred. I am so thankful to be alive, Michael affirmed before he was discharged from Kindred. "I plan to enjoy life more, lighten up and not get stressed out about uncomfortable things. See more

My main goal is to get back to a normal life after COVID, Marvin shared just before he was cleared to be discharged. Shortness of breath and chest pain originally led the retired police officer to the hospital where he was diagnosed with COVID-19 and had to be placed on a ventilator when he stopped being able to breathe on his own. Additional complications followed, including kidney failure, septic shock and uncontrollable pain, and Marvin was then transferred to Kindred Ho...spital to receive respiratory therapy and rehabilitation. My nurses and all the staff here helped me and motivated me to get better, and I want everyone to take this very seriously because I know firsthand it is a very real sickness. Everyone who helped me from the time I was admitted to the ER and to my discharge from Kindred pulled me out of the grave and I will be forever grateful. See more

Happy Occupational Therapy Month to all of our amazing therapists! Your holistic and personalized approach to evaluations, interventions and outcomes plays such a vital role in helping our patients reach their recovery goals, and for that we are extremely grateful. #NationalOTMonth

This year's #WorldHealthDay theme, "Building a fairer, healthier world," resonates with us as we continue to work toward increasing access to much-needed healthcare services across the country. And we would like to say thank you to all healthcare workers around the world. #KindredCore6

Vanessa is an LPN at Kindred Hospital. The recently awarded Employee of the Month shared some insights about what it’s like working at the long-term acute care hospital. I got into nursing because I wanted a job where I could help people every day, Vanessa affirmed. My days are always busy, and I value the sense of teamwork and camaraderie we have here because when I or someone else needs help, all we have to do is ask. It’s the most wonderful feeling to hear a patient tell me that they feel better after I’ve taken care of them. If you are looking for a fulfilling caregiver career, go to jobs.kindredhealthcare.com.

After a serious accident nearly cost him his life, Kendall was admitted to a local hospital to undergo surgery. Due to the severity of his condition, he was also placed on a ventilator to help him breathe. Once stable, he was transferred to Kindred Hospital to receive respiratory therapy and rehabilitation. He began to make progress as his respiratory therapists helped him become less reliant on the ventilator until he no longer needed mechanical breathing assistance. I have a very loving family that supported me and a baby on the way, so I was very motivated to get better, Kendall expressed before he was discharged to return home. I have a lot to be grateful for and I’m very thankful to be alive.

Robert came to Kindred Hospital Philadelphia - Havertown after being admitted and treated for COVID-19 complications at an acute care facility. He still required supplemental oxygen to support his lungs and had several pressure wounds from prolonged bedrest. His respiratory therapists began to work with Robert to strengthen his lungs and he quickly progressed to being able to breathe normally once again. Robert’s wound care nurse oversaw the treatment of his pressure wounds a...nd here too he made excellent progress with all but two healed completely by the time he was discharged, and the remaining wounds nearly healed. With help from his rehab team, Robert regained his strength and independence over the activities of daily life, and by the time he was ready to go home was able to walk with only the aid of a walker. I was very engaged with the process and motivated to get home, Robert shared before the retired police officer was able to be discharged to his home to continue with his recovery.

Today we recognize and celebrate some of our #HealthcareHeroes who sacrifice so much to care for our community - our doctors. Over the past year, they have shown incredible dedication to providing the highest quality care to our patients for a hopeful future. Thank you for all you do today and every day. #DoctorsDay

Our #HealthcareHeroes across the country are receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Jennifer, a Clinical Liaison, tell us why she received the vaccine: "#MyWhy is for a better future for everyone."

Linda is the clinical pharmacist at Kindred Hospital, where she has worked for over 10 years. She shared what led her to become a pharmacist and what drives her love for her line of work. I became interested in clinical pharmacology in high school when a teacher discussed it with me, and as they say the rest is history! Linda said. I really enjoy working at a small hospital where you get to know all your co-workers and where my department is involved in patient care decisions. In addition to my regular tasks, one of my favorite daily routines is to round with physicians and the patient advocate, which is very beneficial as I’m able to provide input while decisions are being made. I also enjoy working with pharmacy students when they are with us as part of their rotation and always try to spend part of my day with them.

Donna Crowley, a Unit Secretary at Kindred Hospital St. Louis - St. Anthony, is a recipient of this year’s 2020 Paul Diaz Caring Award. Donna's reputation for caring and compassion go far beyond her title -- her passion leads her to sit and comfort patients, to stay with them and encourage them even though that isn't in her formal job description. "Care beyond," she says. "Just go beyond. Just go until you can't do it anymore."

Carole Fryberger, a Lead Respiratory Therapist, is a 2020 recipient of this year’s Paul Diaz Caring Award. Her co-workers say Carole embodies the Kindred Core Value "Create Fun in What You Do." As one co-worker wrote, Carole is "a source of light and peace for the patients we service here."

Fred Waters, a Radiology Technician at Kindred Hospital St. Louis, is a recipient of the 2020 Paul Diaz Caring Award. Fred's service to his patients goes far beyond his daily duties. He also utilizes his natural artistic ability by creating paintings for them. Fred's efforts to engage with his patients embodies the Kindred Core Value "Be Kinder Than Expected.

Felicia was transferred to Kindred Hospital after her COVID-19 battle. I 100% appreciate all that the staff have done for me while I was here, Felicia shared before she was discharged to return home with her husband and family. I want to personally thank Caleb in PT he is my angel and is always positive, encouraging and very professional. My RN Jill kept it real and was always there when I needed her she is in my eye the perfect nurse! And my RT Sandy was sweet and positive, she always kept me in the know and helped me understand what was going on and always checked in on me.

At Kindred, Creating Fun in What You Do is one of our core values, whether we are inspiring patients during their recovery journey or working alongside team members to support patient care. Hear from Kindred team member Jonathan Miller on what this core value means for him in his role as a physical therapist:

Regular handwashing is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Whether you are at home, at work, traveling, or out in the community, make sure and wash your hands for 20 seconds. If no soap or water is available, use hand sanitizer.

Jarae was admitted to the hospital and had to be placed on a ventilator and started on dialysis. He was transferred to Kindred Hospital for respiratory therapy and rehabilitation. With the help of his respiratory therapists, Jarae was able to have his ventilator removed. By the time Jarae was cleared to be discharged from Kindred to return home, he was walking on his own and had completely regained his independence. I am just so excited to get back to my family and friends! Jarae exclaimed just before leaving the facility. I can’t wait to hold my daughter in my arms and plan to come back to visit when I no longer need my cane.

Felicia lived at home and enjoyed her life and being part of her community until she began to experience wheezing and increasing shortness of breath as well as a fever. She was admitted to an acute care hospital where her condition rapidly deteriorated due to COVID-19. As her lungs failed, she had to be placed on a ventilator, followed by dialysis when her kidneys also suffered from the infectious disease. Felicia was in a delicate condition during her stay at the facility, r...eceiving care and medication for swelling of her brain in addition to the multiple issues brought on by the novel coronavirus. After she had been at the hospital for nearly two months, she was finally able to be transferred to Kindred Hospital Philadelphia Havertown to receive advanced wound care and rehabilitation. At the time of her admission, Felicia was conscious but confused and unable to speak due to her prolonged time on the ventilator and the breathing tube, which was still in place to maintain her airways. She had two major pressure wounds from months of bed rest and required full assistance from her caregivers for all her needs. Her speech therapist guided her to begin speaking through a voice valve and, when the breathing tube was removed, to swallow safely and speak normally once again. Felicia received diligent care from her wound care team and the progress she made during her stay at Kindred was evident in that the wounds were nearly resolved by the time she was discharged. She also made excellent gains with her physical and occupational therapists and went from being unable to get up or move on her own to being able to walk with the aid of a walker and regain her independence over the activities of daily living. Felicia was discharged from Kindred to continue her journey to recovery, now able to drink and eat a regular diet and with a hopeful outlook toward returning home soon.

Over the last few weeks, we have focused on the importance of getting a flu shot this year as seasonal influenza viruses begin to spread along with the virus that causes COVID-19. To help raise awareness and encourage others to roll up their sleeves for this year’s flu vaccine, some of our dedicated team members are sharing photos of their flu shots on social media using #FluShotSelfies!

Barbara returned from a trip and found that she had contracted COVID-19. After three days her breathing became compromised. Barbara had to be placed on a ventilator and was transferred to Kindred Hospital for respiratory therapy and rehabilitation. Her physical and occupational therapists helped her overcome a very long period of inactivity, and she began to regain her strength and motor skills. My team at Kindred gently and effectively weaned me off the vent, Barbara said. Everyone listened to me and really heard me. They also found the sweet spot with my medications to help my anxiety, so I could be weaned I was definitely suffering from post-ICU anxiety. I had full confidence in the staff and I that helped me get better.

We are very thankful for all of our employees who take care of our patients every day. We appreciate you. Best wishes to all of you and your family during this holiday season.

The special importance of a flu vaccine this winter comes down to one word twindemic - that describes the serious consequences of the flu in possible conjunction with COVID-19. Click here to read more: http://Kindrd.care/6189GfArd

This is National Physical Therapy Month, and we want to salute all of our hard-working #HealthCareHeroes who help our patients get back on their feet.

Happy National Case Management Week! We are thankful for all of our case managers and the role that they play in bringing nurses, doctors, therapists and families together to create care plans that result in outstanding clinical outcomes. Thank you, case managers, for all that you do!

George had a heart attack and had to be put on a ventilator. He was transferred to Kindred Hospital to receive respiratory therapy and rehabilitation. Soon, he was able to begin communicating with a speaking valve and as his lungs became stronger, his breathing tube was removed. George was discharged to a rehab facility to continue his recovery before returning home to his wife and family. His team celebrated his discharge and everyone wished him all the best as he left Kindred.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends people get their flu shot by the end of October. The sooner you can get vaccinated for the flu, the better especially if you are planning to receive a COVID-19 vaccine once it’s available. Every flu season is different, with some being worse than others. Your best defense is vaccination, which provides important protection from flu and its potential complications.

When Matthew began to feel sharp pains in his chest, he was rushed to the ER. Physicians had to perform CPR and placed him on a ventilator when his breathing became compromised by respiratory failure. Matthew arrived at Kindred and began to receive respiratory therapy. He started the early mobility program with his physical and occupational therapists, making steady gains every day during his stage as he moved through various levels of recovery. Kindred is very amazing, Matthew affirmed just before leaving the facility. The staff helped us understand exactly what was happening every day they are a very great team. I have something great to say about everybody here and I also want to thank my wife for being here with me (even if not in person) every day!

Georgiann was admitted to a general hospital for cardiac bypass surgery after she began to complain of shortness of breath and chest pain. Although the surgery was successful and went as planned, Georgiann developed respiratory failure and had to be placed on a ventilator. Her physicians were able to stabilize her and take her off the ventilator; however. she still required a high volume of oxygen to support her breathing, and she was transferred to Kindred Hospital Philadelp...hia Havertown to receive additional respiratory therapy, wound care and rehabilitation. On arrival at Kindred, her wound care nurse immediately began to resolve Georgiann's chest incision which had developed an infection and wasn’t healing properly. Georgiann worked with her speech therapists to be able to swallow safely and begin to drink and eat a normal diet, and her respiratory team helped her strengthen her lungs to reduce her dependence on supplemental oxygen and breathe normally once again. Motivated to recover, Georgiann worked with her physical and occupational therapists to regain her strength and went from being unable to get up from bed to walking with just the aid of a walker and climbing steps unassisted. I commend everyone for the hard work they do, Georgiann said before her discharge from Kindred. My stay here was awesome! Everyone treated me very well.

Welcome to the first day of Fall!

This week, alongside providers and healthcare communities across the nation, we recognize National Rehabilitation Awareness Week. Thank you to all of our rehabilitation staff for your unwavering commitment to quality patient care. We are extremely grateful that you choose Kindred every day, and for everything you do to help our patients on their journeys to recovery.

On this #LaborDay, we thank our hard-working staff who work tirelessly to care for our patients to make sure they reach their highest potential for health and healing.