CHEFA Grants $75,000 to Gaylord for Vent-Dependent Patient Care

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, a rehabilitation-focused, not-for-profit health system, announced that it recently received a $75,000 grant from the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA).

The grant will be used to purchase new ventilators to assist patients who are not able to breathe on their own following an illness or injury and will also fund the purchase of Vapotherm® units that provide heated, high-flow humidity to increase patients’ vent-weaning success. Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is the first institution to ever be recognized as a Vapotherm® Center of Excellence.

A portion of the grant will be directed towards the production of an original video to educate families who are planning on bringing a ventilator-dependent loved one home from the hospital. Gaylord Specialty Healthcare Pulmonologist, Dr. Brett Gerstenhaber, explained that CHEFA’s generous grant recognizes the unique needs of vent-dependent patients and their families.

“Caring for someone on a vent in the home setting is an act of love,” he said. “It can be a difficult, emotionally taxing, and resource-intensive process. We anticipate that our video will prepare families and patients with the information they need to make the transition as smooth as possible.”

“We are pleased to support Gaylord Hospital with this worthwhile project,” said Jeanette W. Weldon, CHEFA Executive Director. “It is our hope that vent-dependent individuals and their families will greatly benefit from the equipment and much-needed training.”

About Gaylord Specialty Healthcare:

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is a rehabilitation-focused, nonprofit health system that provides inpatient and outpatient care for people at every point in their journey from illness and injury to maximum recovery.

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is widely recognized for its leadership in treating spinal cord and brain injuries and is also known for treating pulmonary, cardiac, amputee and stroke patients as well as sports-related injuries. It is the only rehabilitation system in CT accredited by CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) for both inpatient and outpatient programs.

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is anchored by Gaylord Hospital, a Long-Term Acute Care Hospital, and includes Gaylord Outpatient and Gaylord Physical Therapy for patients who require diagnosis and treatment on an outpatient basis. Together, these entities deliver a complete continuum of rehab care driven by technology, research, clinical experience, and human compassion.

Headquartered in Wallingford CT since it was founded in 1902, Gaylord today serves a mix of local, regional, national, and international patients. For more information visit www.gaylord.org.