OSF HealthCare Transitional Care Hospital

Mike was unresponsive when found by his mother in the hallway of his home during the middle of the night. He was rushed to the ER and diagnosed with a brain bleed and blood clots that had caused a stroke. He required two separate brain surgeries to remove the clotting, and Mike remained in a critical condition. Once stabilized Mike was transferred to OSF Transitional Care Hospital. The beginning of his treatment plan was focused on liberating him from the ventilator, removing the breathing tube, and caring for his wounds. Mike steadily made progress, and as his cognitive function improved, he became very engaged with his therapists — always willing to do what was asked of him. Once weaned from the vent and his wounds were nearly healed, Mike was transferred to the Acute Recovery Unit at OSF where he received occupational and physical therapy. Mike steadily recovered his fine motor skills and mobility. By the time he was ready to be discharged, he was back on his feet, walking and taking care of daily life tasks.

“I was basically dead for 15 minutes when they found me and began giving me CPR,” Mike shared before he was discharged to return home. “At the first hospital the surgeons virtually ‘tiptoed through my tulips’ to clear my brain of the blood clots and now here I am, going home! Father Freddy met my Life Flight and prayed over me, and then yesterday dropped by to wish me well. I wasn’t a believer before, but I am now as I have been told there are many reasons why I shouldn’t have survived. Thank you to everyone who cared for me – I am very grateful.”

Brandon has managed his epilepsy since he was very young. From pursuing a career to starting a family, it hasn’t held him back from living life to the fullest. Unfortunately, just before the holidays, Brandon suffered a Grand Mal seizure at work and was rushed to the ER. Due to its severity, Brandon was placed in a medically-induced coma and on a ventilator. He remained in a critical condition until he could be transferred to OSF Transitional Care Hospital for therapy and rehabilitation. When he first arrived, Brandon couldn’t stand or walk and was very weak. He had suffered brain damage due to the seizure and faced significant recovery challenges, but he counted on the support of his wife, Kenzie, and participated fully with his team of caregivers. Although Brandon was at OSF for a very short time, he made remarkable progress and regained the ability to walk and handle simple daily life tasks. His speech and memory also improved significantly. With a positive outlook for ongoing recovery, Brandon was discharged — returning home to Kenzie and their two young children.

“I almost didn’t make it,” Brandon shared. “Now I have to trust my neurologist who has me on all-new medications, and I am glad to be going home. I would highly recommend this facility for any and all kinds of therapy. After being in the hospital for weeks I needed to re-learn how to walk, do basic personal things and help with regaining my memory. This was one of the best hospital experiences of my life — the nurses were all fantastic, the therapists were very good at their jobs and everyone was very encouraging.”

Wanda worked as a mental health specialist at a skilled nursing facility until she contracted COVID-19 and had to be hospitalized for surgery on a severe pressure wound that developed during her convalescence. She then transferred to OSF HealthCare Transitional Hospital for the treatment of acute sepsis and an MRSA infection, and to receive advanced wound care and rehabilitation. Although she has been a paraplegic for nearly ten years due to an ATV accident, Wanda has always been fiercely independent and she was determined to recover. Her wound care nurse, Nichole, discovered surgical sponges that had not been removed, and once they were taken out Wanda improved quickly. Once she had completed her IV antibiotic treatments and her wound was resolved, Wanda was able to regain her independence with help from her rehab therapists and was discharged to return home.

“The staff here has been great about making sure that I was comfortable, they kept me informed and most importantly, they helped me maintain and recover my dignity,” Wanda shared before she was discharged. “I lost my independence through this and having no control has been terrible. Everyone here has made things much better for me and this has made all the difference!”

Happy New Year! May 2023 be a year of fulfillment and promise.

May your Kwanzaa be full of singing, dancing, storytelling, poetry and feasting. Learn more about the seven principles of African culture that help build and reinforce African-American communities: http://Kindrd.care/61833MzI1

Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates! We hope you enjoy your time today with family and friends, while including time for your own personal reflection.

Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. Chag Sameach to all those in our hospitals who celebrate Hanukkah!

We use this week as a gentle reminder to get your flu shot, because it’s not too late! The season for flu is quite unpredictable; it can begin as early as fall and last up to spring. Typically, flu activity is at its peak during winter, so public health professionals and communities join forces to promote flu vaccination. Many people tend to show a cavalier attitude toward flu, dismissing it as they might a bad cold. But it’s more than that. Flu can cause serious health complications, such as bacterial infections or pneumonia, and it can lead to hospitalization.

It's Handwashing Awareness Week, and regular handwashing is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick and prevent the spread of the flu and COVID-19. Check out these resources from the CDC: http://Kindrd.care/61893BaMb

We would like to extend a special thank-you to all staff who are providing our patients the exceptional care they deserve this Thanksgiving Day and every day. We appreciate you!

November is National Family Caregivers Month, the perfect time to salute those responsible for the health, safety and well-being of loved ones with a chronic illness, disability or other conditions. Thank you for the care and support you provide.

Let’s recognize these incredible healthcare providers and raise awareness of the powerful role Nurse Practitioners play in ensuring general health and well-being. NPs are highly educated and trained medical professionals who perform many of the same tasks as physicians. In addition to their fundamental roles as registered nurses, NPs can provide primary care and counseling, make diagnoses, offer health education, and write prescriptions. Thank a Nurse Practitioner today!

Thank you to the men and women who serve or have served our country in the armed forces. You make our company stronger by being part of it. Happy Veterans Day!

During National Medical Staff Services Awareness Week, we recognize Medical Services Professionals—important members of the healthcare team who are dedicated to thoroughly investigating and verifying the credentials of healthcare practitioners. These dedicated professionals use their expertise in areas such as medical staff organization, accreditation, regulatory compliance, and provider relations in their essential role as gatekeepers of patient safety.

Radiologic technicians are those who perform diagnostic imaging procedures. These caregivers operate complex and state-of-the-art equipment. They play an indispensable role when it comes to diagnosing a variety of diseases. Timely scans can detect many serious illnesses and help patients seek prompt medical help. Radiologic technology saves thousands of lives every year. We celebrate the technology and the technicians that help so many!

Chronic lung diseases constitute an important health problem in the United States, with nearly 37 million Americans affected. That's why respiratory therapists are such a vital group of professionals in our country. We're so thankful for their professionalism, hard work, sacrifice and commitment to providing excellent patient care! Our care teams would be incomplete without the knowledge and skill provided by our respiratory therapists.

Each year we celebrate the important role that facilities team members have in ensuring a safe and efficient environment for all patients, residents, visitors and staff within hospitals. Healthcare facility managers and engineers may be responsible for making sure the hospital lights stay on (and just about everything else), but we're taking time this week to shine the light on them and say thank you for all you do!

Diwali is a major festival celebrated over five days by people of many different faiths in India and by people of Indian descent across the world. Many Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists join in celebrating “the festival of lights.” Many Hindus observe Diwali by lighting small oil lamps known as diyas. The lamps symbolize the triumph of light over darkness and evil.

Today is National Medical Assistants Recognition Day. Thank you for your compassion, professionalism and hard work!

Pharmacy Technician Day recognizes the invaluable contributions made by pharmacy technicians to patient health and safety. These professionals are an integral part of the healthcare team. Thank you to all those who make sure the proper medications are distributed to our patients.

National Pharmacy Week acknowledges the invaluable contributions pharmacists and technicians make to patient care. They play a vital role on the healthcare team - helping patients achieve optimal outcomes. Thank you for all you do!

Today marks the start of Healthcare Quality Week, when we honor and celebrate the substantial progress made by our healthcare heroes in improving patient outcomes. The past several years have truly tested our programs, staff and community, but we are proud to say that our compassion and dedication to excellent patient care have never been stronger.

October is National Physical Therapy Month -- a great time to recognize our physical therapists and physical therapist assistants who support our patients on their road to recovery.

Happy National Case Management Week! We are thankful for all of our case managers and the role that they play in advocating for patients, helping identify and meet their needs, and bringing nurses, doctors, therapists and families together to create care plans that result in outstanding outcomes.

World Mental Health Day was created as just a day to advocate for mental health as a whole. With the stigma that continues to cling to mental health across the country (and the world), it is important to take account of yourself, and how you're feeling. Small steps to help your mental health include taking walks, maintaining a balanced diet and normal sleep routines. Let this also be a reminder that you matter, and while is just one day, your mental health is important all year round.

During American Pharmacists Month, we take the time to thank those pharmacists at our hospitals for making sure that every patient receives the medication required to help them return home. Through their knowledge and skill, lives are saved and improved every day.

National Health Care Supply Chain Week gives us the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the supply chain professionals who support health care organizations and communities each and every day. In healthcare, managing the supply chain is typically a very complex and fragmented process. Healthcare supply chain management involves obtaining resources, managing supplies, and delivering goods and services to providers and patients. Thank you to all the businesses and individuals that keep allowing our hospitals to do good around the country.

The Jewish High Holidays end with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, beginning this year at sundown on October 4, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. Those who are able will fast until after sundown on October 5. This observance marks a time of atonement and renewal for the Jewish new year, signifying a commitment to working harder in the year ahead, and living with more integrity, thoughtfulness, kindness, and compassion for others. These ideals certainly align with our values.

Healthcare Foodservice Workers have been around as long as there have been hospitals. This week, we want to give them a special thank you for keeping our staff and patients nourished. Your work is an essential part of the entire healthcare system.