When it comes to healing after heart surgery, sternum stabilization is the name of the game for your patients. Stabilizing and protecting the area of the incision, as well as the chest and lungs, is critical for quick, comfortable healing--but it's a multiple-step process. Today, our experts want to highlight three of the most important steps toward sternum stabilization.
A Fresh Take on Sternum Stabilization
You probably already know just how important sternum stabilization is--but today, we're treating it a little differently. In this case, stabilization isn't just referring to the physical act of supporting the sternum--that's just one part of a much larger whole. Here, sternum stabilization means providing an entire lifestyle for the patient that will keep the sternum comfortable and the healing process right on track. This requires approaches from multiple angles, providing solutions to a variety of problems and discomforts that could stand in the way of good health. Looking at sternum stabilization this way allows you to focus on the big picture while still making sure that all of the details are taken care of.
3 Steps to Stabilization
What are the three steps to creating a comfortable lifestyle for your patients that will provide support and stabilization for the sternum throughout the healing process? Let our sternum support experts explain!
- Precautions. One of the biggest tasks in creating a safe, healthy lifestyle that promotes sternum stabilization is taking proper precautions. You'll tell your patients not to lift anything above five pounds, to avoid pushing and pulling, and to be careful how they move their arms. Other precautions vary depending on the patient. Taking these precautions will keep the sternum stable and safe.
- Physical therapy. The next step in creating a "sternum-friendly lifestyle" is to encourage physical therapy. When a patient learns how to properly walk upstairs, move around in bed, and do everyday tasks, he or she limits the risks of disturbing the incisions and thus ensure that the sternum, and overall health, remain protected.
- Actual sternum stabilization. Now we return to the conventional use of "sternum stabilization:" physically supporting the sternum. With Heart Hugger, it is easier than ever to add this aspect to a lifestyle that will support sternum health overall. Heart Hugger has unique handles that are squeezed whenever the patient needs support, like when coughing or breathing. It's latex-free, comes in multiple sizes, and can be tailored to every patient's unique needs.
Interested in more information on Heart Hugger? Want to learn more about this new perspective on sternum stabilization? Contact us today!