The partnership provides intensive rehab on-site for ventilator-dependent patients.
July 8, 2022 – Special Care Providers (DBA Special Care Unit) recently signed a new five-year agreement to continue operating its Progressive Care Unit at Tampa General Hospital. The unit is dedicated to methodically weaning patients from ventilators using high-touch, high-frequency therapy. Ventilators are machines that move air in and out of the lungs of patients suffering from respiratory failure.
The Progressive Care Unit offers ventilator-dependent patients a unique model of daily intensive rehabilitation, improving their likelihood of liberating from the ventilator to greater than 80%. Treatment includes therapy provided by Special Care Unit’s multidisciplinary staff six days a week. The team is comprised of a dedicated unit manager, case manager, and acute care professionals, such as registered nurses, respiratory therapists, speech therapists, and physical and occupational therapists. The unique partnership between Special Care Unit and Tampa General Hospital is one of only two in the United States.
Special Care Unit CEO Sam Nimah says while many hospitals provide ventilator-weaning services in-house, the Progressive Care Unit at Tampa General Hospital optimizes the care of this complex patient population, providing the highest quality of care, resulting in successful outcomes. At Tampa General Hospital, many ventilator-dependent patients are centralized in the Progressive Care Unit.
“Weaning from a ventilator is a crucial part of the recovery process. Leveraging best practices from a specially trained team whose purpose is laser-focused benefits the patient and the hospital. Through intensive, in-house ventilation rehabilitation, we reduce weaning time, length of stay and have proven to lower readmissions,” Nimah explained.
John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital, credits the partnership for its role in successful management during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
“During the height of the pandemic, resources were stretched. We were able to transition medically complex, ventilator-dependent patients to breathing independently smoothly and safely with the support of Special Care Unit,” said Couris. “Overall, our partnership has resulted in industry-leading outcomes while providing patients the best opportunity for recovery.”
ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL
Tampa General Hospital, a 1,041-bed not-for-profit academic medical center, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region’s only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report’s 2021-22 Best Hospitals, and one of the top four hospitals in Florida, with five specialties ranking among the best programs in the United States. The academic medical center’s commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by two prestigious 2021 Forbes magazine rankings – America’s Best Employers by State, third out of 100 Florida companies and first among health care and social organizations and 13th nationally in America’s Best Employers for Women. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal 2020 provided a net community benefit worth more than $182.5 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It is one of the nation’s busiest adult solid organ transplant centers and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With six medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed Level IV neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital’s footprint includes 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Brandon Healthplex, TGH Virtual Health and 19 outpatient Radiology Centers. Tampa Bay residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track network of clinics, and they can even receive home visits in select areas through TGH Urgent Care at Home, powered by Fast Track. As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that uses artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org.
ABOUT SPECIAL CARE PROVIDERS
Special Care Providers (DBA Special Care Unit), located in Boca Raton, Florida, is the industry-leading provider of ventilator liberation services. Since 1991, Special Care Unit has partnered with hospitals and health systems offers a unique approach that improves recovery time, reduces length of stay, and lowers readmissions of medically complex patients with the goal of successfully reuniting patients with their families. For more information, go to www.specialcareunit.com.
