Quadruple Bypass Heart Surgery

[alekie5]

My father who will be 69 in a couple of weeks this month. He had quadruple bypass heart surgery on Nov 17, 2010. He did real well after a couple days then he started coughing - He just now diagnosed COPD (emphysema) and couldn't stop coughing. However, it makes an impact on his sternum. He was discharged a week after his surgery to the rehab to have a respiratory therapy. Hes been there for two weeks going on to the third this week. The respiratory therapist says that they want to send him home since he met all their needs. We don't feel that he's well enough because his dr is debating whether to rewire his sternum since its not healing enough and that he's on a fall risk. We have two dogs at home who jumps and we are very concerned that if he falls, or gets jumped on by the dogs and it might harm his sternum. Do you think we should fight for his safety? I rather for him to be 80 to 100% well enough to go home...Please advise....Thanks!
Steph

[ed34]

It isn't normal, but it does happen in some instances. His body, weakened by major surgery, allowed a small pocket of infection to get out of control. This was probably sitting in his lungs being fought before surgery. A microbiologist should have a sample to analyse and they can determine the right antibiotics. If his condition is stable, and not worsening, then this means the infection is being brought under control and he should start to show signs of recovery soon. Make sure they check his nutrition level and give him a good quality food mix through a tube into his stomach. The body needs nutrition to stay strong/healthy and keep on top of the infection. Every time you or another relative visits, ask if the ventilator has been turned down at all. Once they start to reduce the pressure given by the ventilator, recovery is not far away.
Nurses in intensive care are very well trained, they care for the sickest people in the hospital every day so they gain experience very quickly. If they say he is doing ok, then they are saying he is stable and not getting any worse.

[Daimuko]

My 29 year nephew had a quadruple open heart surgery last wednesday January 26th 2011 and today almost a week later he is still heavenly sedated and was just having pneumonia and high fever and also is oxygen levels were very low. He has a breathing tube that is helping him, he has not sat up nor spoken to us. He sleeps a lot and is very swollen. I am so confused not sure what to think, this has been a very scary ride. I have spoken to the Nurses and they tell me the same thing. He is doing ok... I have not seen the doctors to speak to them. Is this normal?

[cindy707]

Oh heck yes i would definately fight for this one.  I wold tell the doc that the support network at home can put him at risk and try to remember that it is not up to the RT to send him home....the discharge orders only can come from his physician period.  What the RT may be saying is that they have gone as far as they can in their facility in terms of his treatment program and what may need to happen is that the doc may need to send your pop back to an acute care facility until he/she makes the decision in tightening up the sternum. Especially if he is prone to falls that is a big no no and make sure you tell the doc that.....but relax a little the RT does not have the power to discharge your dad out...just make sure you let the RT know that you will be contacting his doctor so that instead of him being discharged home he may be transferred to another facility.  Good luck with this i am sure you'll be successful at providing the info to the RT.....