Kindred Hospital Seattle - First Hill

Shannon, a mother with a history of diabetes and heart problems, recently went to the emergency room with shortness of breath and an unusually fast heartbeat.

Doctors discovered that she had a large blood clot in her lungs that likely developed after recent airline travel. The clot made it hard for her to breathe and damaged her lung. Her condition worsened, and she had to be placed on a ventilator and given a tracheostomy. She also developed an infection and low blood pressure, which required medications. She was also heavily sedated to keep her comfortable.

When Shannon was transferred to Kindred Hospital Seattle – First Hill, she was on the ventilator and a feeding tube, and she required almost complete assistance with moving in bed, getting up, and performing daily activities like dressing and bathing. She was very weak, had limited movement and endurance, and could not speak clearly.

Over time, her sedation medications were slowly reduced. With physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy several times a week, Shannon made steady progress. She was highly motivated and worked hard with her care team. She began a step-by-step program to strengthen her breathing. After 22 days, she was taken off the ventilator. Five days later, after passing a swallowing safety test, her breathing tube was removed. She returned to eating regular food and happily commented on how good it tasted.

By the time she was discharged to a skilled nursing facility, Shannon was breathing completely on her own without additional oxygen. She could move around in a wheelchair with supervision. She required only light assistance with dressing and bathing. She could also communicate effectively.

Thank you, Shannon, for entrusting us with your care!

To read more patient stories and to learn more about our care, please visit https://www.kindredhospitals.com/locations/washington/seattle-first-hill

February marks Black History Month, a time to honor the history, achievements, and lasting impact of Black Americans across all areas of our society. We are committed to celebrating Black voices and building inclusive communities every day of the year.

Happy Pharmacists Day to our dedicated pharmacists! From medication safety to patient education, your knowledge and compassion make a meaningful difference in the care we provide.

Today, we proudly recognize National Nurse Practitioner Week – a time to honor the incredible Nurse Practitioners (NPs) at our facility and across the country who bring skill, compassion, and accessibility to healthcare every single day. NPs are the heartbeat of patient-centered care – listening, diagnosing, treating, and advocating with unmatched dedication. While this week shines a spotlight on their contributions, their impact is felt all year long in hospitals, clinics, and communities nationwide.

To all our NPs: thank you for making healthcare more human, more reachable, and more exceptional.