An examination of the postdischarge recovery experience of patients who have had heart surgery

fredericks s & dasilva m (2010) Journal of Nursing and Healthcare of Chronic Illness 2 , 281–291 An examination of the postdischarge recovery experience of patients who have had heart surgery Aim. This review was conducted to address the clinically relevant question: What is the postoperative recovery experience of the individual who has had Coronary Artery Bypass Graft and Valve Replacement surgery? Background. Although resources to promote recovery following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft and Valve Replacement surgery are provided, over a quarter of all patients are being readmitted to hospitals with postoperative complications experienced during the first 3 months of recovery. A possible reason for the high rate of readmission following heart surgery is the quality of patient engagement in the performance of self‐care behaviours. In particular, patients who have had CABG and/or VR may not be fully engaged in the required self‐care behaviours during their first 3 months of recovery. Methods. A review of studies that examined the postoperative recovery experience of patients who had CABG and/or VR was conducted. Results. Findings suggest the type of post‐operative complication identified during the first 3 months of recovery following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft and Valve Replacement was either cognitive or cardiac in nature. As well, the number of self‐care behaviours patients engage in during their hospital discharge was slightly less than the number of behaviours patients performed while in hospital. Conclusion and relevance to clinical practice. As close to half of the sample reported some form of cognitive impairment within the first 3 months following surgery, it is possible that this impairment may have influenced the type and number of self‐care behaviours performed. Therefore, further research is needed to determine the best time to educate patients during their recovery following hospital discharge.