Most patients are transferred to the Post Cardiac Surgery Unit (7-1200) the first day after your surgery. On this unit you will be placed on telemetry. Telemetry is a form of cardiac monitoring in which a continuous tracing of your electrocardiogram (ECG) is monitored at the nurses’ station. This monitoring is similar to the cardiac monitor in the Intensive Care Unit except that the leads on your chest are attached to a small light portable transmitter box that you can carry with you while you walk. On this unit you will continue to increase your activity level as outlined on your Cardiac Surgery Map to Recovery. You will also be visited by the cardiac rehabilitation nurse and continued to be followed by a physical therapist.
- You will continue to increase your physical activity until you are walking three (3) times a day. Physical therapists and the nursing staff will assist you and provide assistive devices (walker or cane) as needed.
- You will be eating your meals, out of bed, in a cardiac chair every day.
- The cardiac rehabilitation nurse will meet you and your family to set up a time for home recovery class.
- Your nurse will assist you and your family with choosing a community health nurse agency that will visit you at home after you are discharged from the hospital.
- Included in your discharge instructions will be instructions for the first three (3) weeks at home.
- Please anticipate that checkout time on the day of discharge is BEFORE 10 AM.
