Caring for Patients

If you're researching information related to heart surgery and recovery, you've likely come across mentions of heart pillows (also known as chest or cough pillows). For years, these pillows have been standard issue in many hospitals for patients recovering from heart surgery or sternotomies. The traditional thinking was that heart pillows could provide comfort and support when patients needed to cough, sneeze, or manage pain.

As a healthcare professional, you know that postoperative care after heart surgery is one of the most important factors driving the success and time it takes for your patients to recover

If you are caring for someone after open-heart surgery, or if you are preparing for your own recovery, here are some tips and things you need to know to help you take ownership of the recovery process and help shape the very best outcome.

Heart pillows are a common tool widely used for cardiac patients. They can be comforting, but there is no evidence that they actually help cardiac patients to heal. They also cost hospitals a lot of money for something that is a placebo. As a matter of fact, these pillows can lead to infections when they are taken to different places and exposed to a lot of surfaces. They also can't act as any constant support, as the patient has to hold one in place.

Heart Hugger provides sternum stabilization, allowing patients to avoid potential complications and a safe and early return to normal respiratory levels.

Protecting the Sternum

During the heart surgery recovery period, it's critical to protect the sternal closure. The four basic principles to bone fracture management apply to cardiovascular and thoracic surgery.

Open heart surgery is a major medical procedure that can be intimidating for patients and their loved ones alike. Whether it's a coronary artery bypass, valve repair or replacement, or another cardiac procedure, the prospect of open heart surgery often brings a mix of hope and anxiety.

As a friend, family member, or caregiver, your support can make a significant difference in your loved one's experience before, during, and after the surgery. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate this challenging time and provide the best possible support.

UNDERSTANDING OPEN HEART SURGERY

Before diving into support strategies, it's crucial to have a basic understanding of what open heart surgery entails. This knowledge will help you better empathize with your loved one's situation and provide more informed support.

The patients who undergo heart surgery are susceptible to a host of complications that can set in during their stay in the hospital. When any of these happen, it can cause enormous problems for the hospital. To keep that from happening, there are a few steps you can take for patients and hospital safety.

Preventing Patient Infections

One of the most-feared complications after heart surgery is an infection setting in. The degree of seriousness can vary greatly, ranging from a small infection that causes discomfort to massive infection that puts the patient's life in danger.

The care that you provide to patients goes a long way toward their recovery. Healing isn't just a physical tasks: it's also one that is guided by our emotions and stress levels.

Have a Caring and Professional Staff

There will be many staff members that will come into contact with your patients to provide heart surgery patient care. Each one of those staff members should be well-trained both in their bedside manner and their medical duties. The staff should have a positive attitude that helps patients believe in themselves and their futures. Make sure they know to keep their promises to patients and to stay on top of any problems. Only thorough training can show employees how important these factors are and how much they are stressed in your medical environment.

It is unfortunately very common for postoperative complications to arise, and it is only wise and prudent for healthcare providers such as yourselves to foresee these issues and give your patients the best course of action for their immediate health. There are several different postoperative care options out there, but one that has stood out to healthcare providers is the HeartHugger. This noninvasive care option enables patients to manage their pain and recovery at a reasonable pace with relative ease.

In today's world, we have a lot of questions and three times as many answers. Sometimes, that's a good thing. We can get second (and third) opinions on just about anything. We can get the same information from a variety of perspectives. We can choose how to solve problems because the power of technology and modern study has afforded us the ability to decide on the best option instead of the only option. However, more choices can also mean more confusion. How can anyone know if they're making the best possible choice when there are so many possibilities? The key is to get all of the information, study the facts, and then, ultimately, trust your instincts--and this is especially true when making patient care decisions.