How often do you think about breathing? For most of us, it's an unconscious action—until it becomes painful. For patients recovering from thoracic surgery, every breath can be a reminder of their healing journey. Fortunately, with proper respiratory splinting, breathing can become easy and natural again, even during recovery.
Understanding the Journey
As a recovery nurse, you understand that patient care extends far beyond medical expertise—it's about providing reassurance and empowerment. While patients trust medical professionals during surgery, they often face anxiety about the weeks of recovery ahead at home. This is where the Heart Hugger Sternum Support Harness makes a crucial difference.
Developed by Glenn Williams in the late 1980s following his own cardiovascular bypass surgery experience, Heart Hugger was born from a firsthand understanding of recovery challenges. Traditional methods, such as using pillows for sternotomy splinting, often fell short in providing adequate support for essential activities like movement and walking.
The Power of Patient-Controlled Recovery
Prior to surgery the patient should have been fitted and sized for the Heart Hugger Support Harness so everything is ready. After surgery, your patient will have Heart Hugger put on them, and it will stay on during the recovery process. The patient retains control of the harness and can use the handles to adjust pressure.
Heart Hugger works for the patient throughout recovery and facilitates an additional means of pain management. The overall process also helps patients feel in control of their comfort, aiding further in the ability to recover smoothly.
The Heart Hugger system revolutionizes post-surgical care by:- Providing encircling pressure around the chest
- Compressing the sternum for stability
- Offering immediate pain relief during coughing, sneezing, and movement
- Empowering patients with control over their comfort
CONTROL AND COMFORT
The effect of maintaining control in their own recovery is pretty tremendous for most patients. Heart Hugger helps with pain associated with breathing and coughing among other things, and the patient learns how to use the harness to help themselves when facing that sort of pain. Being involved in their recovery helps patients heal better.
Heart Hugger is also excellent in defending against future complications of all kinds. It not only gives patients comfort and control immediately after surgery, but it also helps the patient stay on the path to wellness with fewer possibilities of wound complications.
HOW HEART HUGGER MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
Heart Hugger is a more attractive and effective alternative to other kinds of sternum and respiratory splinting options.
Before Surgery
- Patients and families review the Nursing Inservice & Patient Education video
- Healthcare professionals help with proper sizing and fitting
- Patients practice using the device while comfortable and free from distractions
- The simplistic system makes it easy to understand and prepare for post-surgery use
Immediately After Surgery
- Nursing staff fits the Heart Hugger during initial bedrest
- Patients receive immediate wound protection and pain management
- The lightweight, comfortable design allows for easy adjustment
- Multiple sizes and adjustable straps accommodate various body types
During the Hospital Stay
During this time, you'll be helping your patient manage pain while changing positions, getting in and out of bed, coughing, sneezing, and performing other necessary movements. Heart Hugger helps patients improve their recovery period by providing support for the chest wall through physical compression that supports the sternum after surgery.
The system provides key benefits during this phase:
- Relieves patient pain, particularly when coughing, sneezing, or doing other activities requiring excess movement
- Physically stabilizes the wound for immediate pain relief
- Helps prevent further agitation or injury to the wound
- Increases patient confidence and independence during recovery
Because patients can adjust Heart Hugger as needed, the system helps them feel in control of their pain and overall recovery.
Discharge From the Hospital
Patients often feel uncertain about managing their recovery once they return home. Heart Hugger continues to provide crucial support during this transition. The harness can be comfortably worn over regular clothing, making it practical for daily use. It gives patients the continued ability to control their comfort and protect their wound while performing necessary activities. The physical support helps prevent wound complications and maintains stability throughout the extended recovery period at home.
To discuss sternal support options for your patients, contact our team at 800.798.2667 (toll-free within the U.S.) or 408.395.2100 (outside the U.S.). Our experienced staff can help you determine the right Heart Hugger solutions for your facility's needs and provide guidance on proper sizing, fitting, and implementation protocols.
