title: Hydrotherapy for the long-term ventilated patient: A case study and implications for practice.
abstract: Hydrotherapy of mechanically ventilated patients has been shown to be safe and feasible in both the acute stages of critical illness and in those requiring long term mechanical ventilation. This case study describes the hydrotherapy sessions of a 36 year old female, who after suffering complications of pneumococcal meningitis, became an incomplete quadriplegic and required long term mechanical ventilation. When implementing hydrotherapy with patients on mechanical ventilation a number of factors should be considered. These include staff resources and training, airway and ventilation management, patient preparation and safety procedures. Hydrotherapy can be safely utilised with mechanically ventilated patients, and may facilitate a patient's ability to participate in active exercise and rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, C/- Physiotherapy Department, Level 2 Ned Hanlon Building, Butterfield St and Bowen Bridge Rd, Herston, Brisbane, 4029 Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: sally.wegner@health.qld.gov.au.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wegner
authors.affiliation: Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, C/- Physiotherapy Department, Level 2 Ned Hanlon Building, Butterfield St and Bowen Bridge Rd, Herston, Brisbane, 4029 Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: peterj.thomas@health.qld.gov.au.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, C/- Physiotherapy Department, Level 2 Ned Hanlon Building, Butterfield St and Bowen Bridge Rd, Herston, Brisbane, 4029 Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: christine.james@health.qld.gov.au.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: James
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020520:Brain Infarction / Q000628:therapy*; D002526:Cerebellar Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005774:Gastrostomy; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008586:Meningitis, Pneumococcal / Q000628:therapy*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Critical care; Hydrotherapy; Mechanical ventilation; Rehabilitation