Interprofessional case study

Human Kinetics
11 Mar 202002:52

Summary

TLDRRussell, a 45-year-old ALS patient, experiences a decline in muscle function, difficulty swallowing, and increased risk of aspiration. Despite evaluations by various healthcare professionals documenting these issues, there's a lack of holistic care and effective interprofessional communication. This results in Russell developing severe pneumonia and ultimately passing away. The case highlights the importance of a coordinated approach to prevent aspiration and the need for clear communication among healthcare teams.

Takeaways

  • 😷 Russell, a 45-year-old male, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) a year prior to the events described.
  • 📉 Russell has experienced a decline in muscle function, with recent difficulties in chewing and swallowing.
  • 👩‍⚕️ Russell's wife has become his primary caregiver, feeding him milkshakes due to his difficulty in eating solid food.
  • 🏥 Upon entering the rehabilitation facility, Russell underwent evaluations by various healthcare professionals, each documenting their findings in an electronic medical record.
  • 🤒 A nurse noted Russell's difficulty eating, with increased coughing and choking during meals, which are signs of potential aspiration.
  • 🗣️ The speech-language pathologist observed signs of aspiration during vocalizations, indicating a risk of inhaling food or liquid into the lungs.
  • 🏋️‍♂️ The physical therapist noted Russell's difficulty maintaining the stamina needed for self-feeding.
  • 🔧 The occupational therapist recognized the need for adapted devices to assist with positioning and self-feeding.
  • 🚨 On Friday, the speech-language pathologist observed signs of aspiration and labored breathing while Russell was eating, and updated the care protocol accordingly.
  • 🏥 Over the weekend, Russell's condition deteriorated, with a nurse reporting fever, labored breathing, and unresponsiveness, leading to a diagnosis of severe pneumonia.
  • 💔 Russell was transferred to the intensive care unit but later passed away, highlighting missed opportunities for a holistic approach to safe healthcare.
  • 🤝 The case revealed that the healthcare team missed opportunities for interprofessional communication and collaboration to prevent aspiration.
  • 🔍 The script suggests further exploration of case studies and strategies for improving interprofessional communication in healthcare settings.

Q & A

  • What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?

    -Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and difficulty in performing daily activities.

  • What difficulties has Russell been experiencing since his ALS diagnosis?

    -Russell has been experiencing an overall decline in muscle function, difficulty in chewing and swallowing, and increased coughing and choking during meals.

  • Why did Russell's wife begin feeding him milkshakes?

    -Russell's wife began feeding him milkshakes because eating solid food had become too difficult for him due to his ALS symptoms.

  • What is the role of the rehabilitation facility in Russell's care?

    -The rehabilitation facility evaluates Russell's condition and documents findings from various professionals, which are accessible to all providers involved in his care.

  • What observations did the speech-language pathologist make about Russell?

    -The speech-language pathologist observed signs of aspiration during vocalizations and labored breathing, indicating potential swallowing difficulties.

  • How did the physical therapist's observations differ from the speech-language pathologist's?

    -The physical therapist noted that Russell was experiencing difficulty with the stamina necessary for feeding himself, focusing on the physical endurance aspect rather than the swallowing mechanism.

  • What did the occupational therapist document about Russell's need?

    -The occupational therapist documented the need for adapted devices to assist with positioning and self-feeding, highlighting the importance of environmental modifications for Russell's comfort and independence.

  • What happened on Friday after a week of therapy?

    -On Friday, the speech-language pathology staff member observed Russell displaying signs of aspiration and labored breathing while eating, leading to concerns about his swallowing safety.

  • What emergency situation did Russell experience on Sunday evening?

    -Russell became febrile, his breathing was labored, and he was generally unresponsive, leading to a diagnosis of severe pneumonia.

  • What were the missed opportunities for Russell's treatment according to the interviews and quality assurance reviews?

    -The missed opportunities included a lack of a holistic approach to safe healthcare, insufficient interprofessional communication, and not addressing the risk of aspiration as a team.

  • What terms are used to describe contributors to aspiration in the script?

    -The terms used to describe contributors to aspiration include fatigue, positioning, choking, and coughing.

  • Where can one find more case studies and strategies for interprofessional communication and collaboration?

    -More case studies and strategies for interprofessional communication and collaboration can be found at U.S. Documen Kinetics' website.

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Etiquetas Relacionadas
ALS CareInterprofessional Missed OpportunitiesPatient SafetyAspiration RiskHealthcare TeamworkRehabilitation ChallengesElderly CareMedical MiscommunicationIntensive CareCase Study
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