Last August, Duane Schwartz developed life-threatening COVID-19 symptoms and was admitted to Parkview LaGrange Hospital. When his condition deteriorated further, he was transferred to Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.
Duane was placed on a ventilator. When providers didn’t see improvement, they made the decision to put him on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a treatment often seen as a last resort for those with severe respiratory failure.
While patients are usually on ECMO for up to two weeks, Hariom Joshi, MD, PPG – Critical Care Medicine, who was a key provider in Duane’s case, used new information regarding the efficacy of ECMO for COVID-19 patients to determine his course of treatment. Duane would remain on the machine for six and a half weeks.
During his time on ECMO, while completely unconscious, Duane experienced a number of challenging days, always under the close observation of the Intensive Care Unit staff.
After nearly two months, Duane was strong enough to be taken off ECMO. Having lost 50 pounds and a good deal of strength, he went on to complete several weeks of rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Michigan.
Following five months of intense recovery, Duane and his family requested a reunion with the team of Parkview caregivers who fought so hard to keep him alive.
Facing trials and tribulations together creates a special bond between caregivers and patients. Duane, his family and the team of ICU providers involved in his journey plan to stay in touch for years to come.
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