Here are responses from our Pediatric Rec Therapist and the Lead Respiratory Therapist from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation (Grand Rapids, MI). Feel free to email me with any other questions- [email protected]!
What staff do you have to take on Community Re-entry trips when the patient has trach/vent?
• Rec Therapy: For trach: any trained therapy staff, rec therapy, and a trained family member. For Vent: RRT required to attend.
• RRT: We have a flex respiratory therapist position that specializes in family education. We use trips as an opportunity to educate on transport of your vent dependent family member. If the patient is VERY stable on current vent settings (No recent setting changes) and caregivers have completed all education and have shown ability to care for this patient with transports within MFB or other appointments, then we get a physician order for them to go with another trained staff member. This patient must be medically stable and safe.
What different places do you go?
• Rec Therapy: We go anywhere! Beach, movies, mall, park- it is totally based on what the Pt would like to do/ what have they done in the past. We use our hospital vehicles.
How do you get funding for outings?
• Rec Therapy: If recreation goes we have money in our general fund/annual budget that includes pt outings
Do patients have to be within a certain age range to go on a community trip?
• Rec Therapy: there is no age range- I think if we vent/trach babies and toddlers it is still important for them to get out- we want them to do all the “regular” stuff other babies/toddlers do- go see santa- go to childrens museum etc
Do you have specific criteria patients have to meet to be eligible to go on a community trip?
• Rec Therapy: we take pts on outings when they are medically stable and getting closer to dc because it’s a great opportunity to practice “real kid stuff” vs. hospital kid stuff. I like families to go because it’s a great learning and hopefully confidence booster for them
• RRT: Medically stable, no new medications or vent setting changes. Appropriate staffing.
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