Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A New Approach To Sternal Precautions: Keep Your Move In The Tube, Kelijo Fernholz, Jayna Theis, Erik Anderson

Nursing Posters

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 …