Heart Surgery Postoperative Routines

It is normal in the SHU (Surgical Heart Unit) that your nurse frequently checks your vital signs and your condition including measuring your urine output, helping remove secretions from your mouth with a suction catheter, helping you turn, cough, breathe deeply, or draw blood samples.

Communication
While the breathing tube is in your mouth you will be unable to speak. The staff and your family should communicate with you by asking "yes" and "no" questions so it will be easier for you to answer.

Pain Management
Your anesthesiologist will order pain control for you after surgery. Your pain medication will be given to you through your IV the first few days after surgery, then will be given to you in pill form after that. It is normal to feel sleepy the first 24 hours after surgery.

Activity
You will be helped to sit on the side of your bed the first day after surgery, and will sit in the chair on either the first or second day after your surgery. Your activity will be gradually increased every day as you follow the Progressive Cardiac Exercise Program (PCE's).

Coughing and Deep Breathing Exercises
Once the breathing tube is removed from your mouth, it is important to perform coughing and deep breathing exercises to expand your lungs and prevent pneumonia. You will be instructed on these exercises as well as on the use of an incentive spirometer prior to surgery. Your nurses will assist you while you are in the SHU to perform these exercises. You should do ten deep breaths every hour you are awake. You do not need to do all the breaths consecutively. Take several deep breaths, then rest. Cough using your heart pillow several times an hour. You should continue these exercises when you are transferred to the telemetry floor.

Visiting Hours for the Surgical Heart Unit
Visiting hours in the Surgical Heart Unit will be explained to you and your family. All visitors should check in at the volunteer desk in the Surgical Family Waiting Area for the first operative day. A nurse will call out to this desk area when you are ready to receive visitors. Visitors should call extension 1475 on the house phone prior to entering the SHU and a nurse will let them know when to come in.

Two members of your immediate family may visit at one time. Children must be 15 years of age or older.

Your family members may call the SHU during the day or night for a condition report. The direct phone line to the SHU is 630-275-1475. Because the nurses like to spend as much time at your bedside as possible, it is ideal to delegate one family member to call the SHU for updates, then to inform the other family members of your condition.

Going Back Upstairs After Surgery
Usually one to two days after surgery your IV lines and tubes have been removed and you are ready to be transferred to a telemetry unit where you will be able to increase your activity while still being monitored.

We will advance your activity with Progressive Cardiac Exercises (PCE's) and have you go up and down a flight of stairs prior to going home.

It is vital to keep your lungs well expanded after surgery. You may help to do this by using your Incentive Spirometer and by doing coughing and deep breathing exercises every hour, five to ten times.