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Description

Purpose:

  • To guide patients and staff in a new approach to sternal precautions following median sternotomy

Current Practice:

  • 10-pound lifting restriction for 4 weeks
  • 20-pound lifting restriction until 3 months post operation
  • Limited arm exercises
  • Sit to stand push restrictions

Why Change:

  • Literature review demonstrates great variation in sternal precautions
  • Currently too restrictive; may hinder recovery and long-term mobility. Too many restrictions can create fear of movement, resulting in short term rehab discharge needs
  • To create more independence for the patient, less reliant on family members for ADLs and basic needs. Patients to return to regular home and work activities sooner
  • To decrease sternal wound complications

Publication Date

2021

Keywords

Sternotomy, Sternal precautions, Activities of daily living

Disciplines

Other Nursing | Perioperative, Operating Room and Surgical Nursing

Comments

Nurses Week Poster 2021

A New Approach to Sternal Precautions: Keep Your Move in the Tube

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