Patrick, a patient at the TGHC participated in a clinical trial to evaluate Curiato Inc.’s smart bedsheet technology that has been underway at The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre (TGHC).
Patrick had injured his foot after falling at work but thought he only had a bad sprain. Late one evening in early November 2018, Patrick was trying to climb a fence when he slipped and fell. He hit the ground so hard he lost consciousness. He was found on the ground semi-conscious but unable to move. The paramedics were called and Patrick was then taken to St. Michael’s Hospital (SMH) and admitted on November 4, 2018.
The health care team at SMH took X-rays and diagnosed Patrick with an incomplete third cervical vertebrae (C3 neck region) spinal cord injury. The incomplete spinal cord injury usually results from trauma that causes damage to the neck, leading to major injury to the central corticospinal tract of the spinal cord. Patrick thought that when he fell at work he had only injured his foot. He was told by the health care team at SMH that the X-rays indicated that there had being a previous injury related to his spine.
While in care, Patrick developed a sacral pressure injury. On November 6, 2018, Patrick underwent neck and spinal surgery. After his surgery, Patrick was admitted on the January 18, 2019 to the TGHC for rehabilitation. An assessment and measurement of his sacral pressure injury revealed a wound about the size of half a navel orange.
Patrick shared this information because he feels that he has made good progress with regaining his independence; however, he says that he plans to be careful when taking his next steps. He does not wish to overdo things in trying to meet his rehabilitation goals. When he first arrived at the TGHC, he required a mechanical lift to transfer from his bed to his wheelchair. He is now able to pivot, with supervision, from his bed to his wheelchair. He is working toward his next rehabilitation goal: mastering the walker. He is determined to reach that goal but he says, “I will not attempt unless I feel secure.”
Patrick’s pressure injury was completely healed by late October 2019. He feels it was important to participate in the research project. “The Toronto Grace has been good to me,” says Patrick, “the health care is excellent. I felt it was my duty to help with the smart surface technology. I hope other patients will benefit from the technology and the data they are collecting.”
By Gerry Condotta