Mr. Alcala: From Catastrophe to Courage

On April 1, 2024, Mr. Alcala, a 36-year-old Spanish-speaking man, faced a life-altering event when he was electrocuted while standing on top of a trailer attempting to fix a wire. The force of the electric shock threw him 10-15 feet onto the concrete below, resulting in full thickness burns to his parietal area, right thigh, right hand, partial burns to his bilateral flanks, and multiple skull and facial fractures. With a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 6 and seizure-like activity observed upon the arrival of EMS, Mr. Alcala was intubated and transferred to University Medical Center of New Orleans.

After his initial acute care, Mr. Alcala was admitted to BridgePoint Healthcare New Orleans on May 24, 2024, to begin a long and challenging journey towards recovery. Upon admission, he was on a ventilator with a tracheostomy in place, requiring A/C mode for his needed breaths and oxygen support. Through diligent daily trach and oral care along with a structured weaning process, he progressed from needing ventilator support to successful trach collar trials. Eventually, Mr. Alcala was able to breathe independently, leading to successful decannulation. Today, he breathes room air and enjoys a regular diet.

Before his hospitalization, Mr. Alcala was a single young man working hard to support his family. During his stay at BridgePoint LTAC, he expressed immense gratitude for the patience, kindness, and encouragement he received from the staff, attributing his recovery to both divine intervention and the exceptional care he received. Clinically, Mr. Alcala transitioned from tube feeds to a regular diet and completed his IV antibiotic course. He continued to make significant strides in physical and occupational therapy and was fully weaned from the ventilator, with his wounds healing infection-free.

Mr. Alcala’s journey in the therapy department was equally remarkable. Initially, he required total assistance for self-care tasks and mobility. However, with a combination of occupational, physical, and speech therapy five days a week, his progress was substantial. Admitted in a condition where he could neither move nor talk, Mr. Alcala has shown incredible determination. He advanced from sitting at the edge of the bed to holding his head up and performing exercises. The team celebrated when he began practicing standing and moving his extremities.

Mr. Alcala gradually tolerated getting out of bed and sitting in a wheelchair, even using his left upper extremity for tasks such as brushing his teeth. With the removal of his tracheostomy and an upgraded diet, he maintained a high level of motivation throughout his stay. His strength, balance, and endurance improved to the extent that he gained approval for inpatient rehabilitation at Touro Inpatient Rehab.

The therapy team at BridgePoint Healthcare is incredibly proud of Mr. Alcala’s accomplishments and is excited for his continued recovery. After completing his rehabilitation, Mr. Alcala will return home to his family, equipped with the strength and resilience he has developed during his time at BridgePoint. His story is a testament to the dedication of the healthcare team and Mr. Alcala’s unwavering determination to overcome his injuries and reclaim his life.