Andy - HIGH RISK OF INFECTION | Low-risk at home

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About Andy:

Born: 1991

Diagnosis:

Cerebral palsy, autism, high risk of infections, MRSA, CMV, VRE

Challenge:

Andy got sick any time a nurse unfamiliar with his care regime joined the team

Solution:

PHS coordinated all Andy's caregivers with a care plan for consistently high-level pulmonary care and safety

Result:

Consistent care and caregiver education helps Andy thrive at home; He now gets all A's in school, plays games and communicates with kids his age

"Andy now interacts with family members like a normal teenager. Together, PHS, doctors and home caregivers have a partnership that will allow Andy to live a long, happy, normal life." -Rosemarie Westbury, RRT-NPS, RCP

Preemie in foster care now all-A student

Andy was a preemie baby placed in foster care the day he was born. Now a teenager, he continues facing his multiple challenges, including:

Paralyzed vocal cord
Underdeveloped immune system
Cerebral palsy and autism

Biggest challenge: Inconsistency

Andy's biggest challenge was inconsistent in-home care. Any time a new nurse joined the team, he'd get sick because of his delicate respiratory system. He was in and out of the hospital regularly.

Answer: PHS

PHS developed a safe care plan and ensured all Andy's caregivers are familiar with the equipment and emergency procedures. PHS also:

Established a nutrition program via the g-tube in his stomach
Conducted a sleep study; Put him on a BiPap at night
Continually assesses how to decrease respiratory infections
Promptly handles respiratory infections with in-home IV antibiotics

Now a "normal teenager"

Andy now maintains his weight, has a stable respiratory condition and gets adequate sleep. He takes sign language classes and communicates more with his family, caregivers and classmates. Best of all, Andy smiles, hugs people, makes eye contact and likes to play with other kids.

Download Andy's full case study PDF (0.8 MB PDF)