Hospital: PAM Health Specialty Hospital of Sarasota and PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Venice
Diagnosis: Guillain-Barre syndrome
Linda Anderson was hospitalized in January 2025 due to Guillain-Barre syndrome and acute hypoxic respiratory failure. She came to PAM Health Specialty Hospital of Sarasota to begin her recovery after an acute hospital stay. When Mrs. Anderson arrived at PAM Health, she had a tracheostomy and a feeding tube and required total assistance for all mobility and self-care tasks.
The Sarasota expert team coordinated Mrs. Anderson’s care to optimize her recovery, tend to her medical needs, and help her improve her mobility and participate in therapy. Respiratory therapy helped her wean from supplemental oxygen, and by discharge, she was breathing room air. Mrs. Anderson worked diligently with physical and occupational therapy to improve. Initially unable to move her arms and dependent for bed mobility, she gradually gained strength and use of her arms. She progressed to being able to stand up from her bed and transfer to a chair with assistance. She also had her feeding tube removed and progressed to feeding herself with the help of a setup customized to her needs. Other milestones included improved independence with self-care tasks and signing her own name.
When Mrs. Anderson had progressed substantially, she transferred to PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Venice to continue her recovery. During the 23 days she spent in Venice, she made the most progress in walking and transferring. When she first arrived, she needed help with transfers and could not walk. By the time she was able to discharge to home, she was able to transfer herself and walk more than 150 feet with supervision.
“When you come to rehab, do what therapy says, and you will get better,” she shared. “They are here to help you, not hurt you!”
