Journal of Perioperative & Critical Intensive Care Nursing
Open Access

Care & Safety Precautions for Nursing Staff during Covid-19 Pandemic

Sandhya Ghai^{* *}Correspondence: Sandhya Ghai, Director, National Institute of Nursing Education, PGIMER, India, Tel: +91 9780680616, Email:

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Introduction

Surgery on the heart muscle, valves, arteries, or the aorta and other large arteries connected to the heart is called Heart surgery, also called as Cardiac surgery or cardiovascular surgery. This surgery is performed by cardiologists and cardiac surgeons. All the heart related problems do not require surgery. Sometimes, they can be overcome by changing the lifestyle, medications or non surgical procedures. Nowadays, many of the heart surgeries are being done on the heart through smaller cuts. Symptoms for heart or cardiovascular problems may differ for women and men, also different for types of heart disease. Majority of people have symptoms like chest pain shortness of breath and fainting.

Some common types of heart surgery are as follows: Coronary artery bypasses grafting (CABG), Heart valve repair or replacement, Insertion of a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), Maze surgery, Aneurysm repair, Heart transplant, Insertion of a ventricular assist device (VAD) or total artificial heart (TAH) [1].

Daily several people undergo open heart surgery across the world and survival rate is also high. It takes more weeks’ time to heal the patient’s body from heart surgery. Open heart surgery is a major operation that requires close monitoring and immediate postoperative support. Postoperative period begins with the patient’s admission to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and ends oncae the anesthesia has worn off enough for the patient to be safely transferred to the appropriate nursing unit. It is normal for a person to remain in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a couple of days after the procedure to receive further care [2].

Postopeartive care by professional nurse plays major role for heart surgery patients for their speedy recover. It includes monitoring vital signs, airway patency, neurologic status; managing pain; assessing the surgical site; assessing and maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance; and providing a thorough report of the patient’s status to the receiving nurse on the unit, as well as the patient’s family. Each patient care space is supplied with a blood pressure monitoring device, cardiac monitor, pulse oximeter, oxygen, airway management equipment, and suction [3]. After heart surgery, patients experience tiredness and pain which is common, gradually regain strength over the following month. If patient feels difficulty breathing, fever, and excessive sweating consider as serious infection and advised to seek urgent care. The patient will be discharged from hospital once the patient condition is stable and free from all complicated symptoms. Recovery time may vary from patient to patient and type of the surgery.

Conclusion

After surgical operation patient has to undergo postoperative care and ends by discharging from the hospital. Sometimes, patients require additional care it may continue at home depends on type of surgery and health issues of the patient. Apart from regular checkups patient should do exercise and taking proper food as suggested by doctors. It can conclude that each patient should undergo good and qualified nurse postoperative care in order to their recovery. In addition, the patient must follow the instructions given by surgeons for their healthy and long life.

References

1. https://www.asahq.org/whensecondscount/preparing-for-surgery/procedures/heart-surgery/