How to follow sternal precautions after heart surgery Toronto Rehab
Transcription
How to follow sternal precautions after heart surgery Toronto Rehab
How to follow sternal precautions after heart surgery Toronto Rehab After heart surgery you need to follow “sternal precautions.” These are rules that help to protect your chest while it is healing. No lifting Patient Education Improving health through education anything over 5 kilograms (10 pounds) No pushing (the weight of a bag of potatoes) No pulling How do I get up from a bed or chair? To move from lying down to sitting, roll over and use elbows to push up. To get out of bed or a chair, hold onto a pillow To stand, use leg muscles to push up. Only use your arms for balance. What other rules should I follow? • Keep things close by to avoid reaching • Avoid reaching up or twisting • For grooming, bend your elbows and lower your head How can my caregiver help? • Do not grab under the armpits when helping you to stand or move in bed. • Use a safety belt around your waist, if you need it to help you get up. Please visit the UHN Patient Education website for more health information: www.uhnpatienteducation.ca © 2012 University Health Network. All rights reserved. This information is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for non-commercial personal use only. Author: Inpatient Geriatric Rehab program Created: 03/2012 Form: D-5889 C034-D