title: Physical therapy management for adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a canadian practice survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine current Canadian physical therapy practice for adult patients requiring routine care following cardiac surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A telephone survey was conducted of a selected sample (n=18) of Canadian hospitals performing cardiac surgery to determine cardiorespiratory care, mobility, exercises, and education provided to patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An average of 21 cardiac surgeries per week (range: 6-42) were performed, with an average length of stay of 6.4 days (range: 4.0-10.6). Patients were seen preoperatively at 7 of 18 sites and on postoperative day 1 (POD-1) at 16 of 18 sites. On POD-1, 16 sites performed deep breathing and coughing, 7 used incentive spirometers, 13 did upper-extremity exercises, and 12 did lower-extremity exercises. Nine sites provided cardiorespiratory treatment on POD-3. On POD-1, patients were dangled at 17 sites and mobilized out of bed at 13. By POD-3, patients ambulated 50-120 m per session 2-5 times per day. Sternal precautions were variable, but the lifting limit was reported as ranging between 5 lb and 10 lb.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Canadian physical therapists reported the provision of cardiorespiratory treatment after POD-1. According to current available evidence, this level of care may be unnecessary for uncomplicated patients following cardiac surgery. In addition, some sites provide cardiorespiratory treatment techniques that are not supported by evidence in the literature. Further research is required.
authors.affiliation: Tom J. Overend, PhD, BScPT: Associate Professor, School of Physical Therapy, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.
authors.forename: Tom J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Overend
authors.forename: Cathy M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: S Deborah
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Lucy
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prendergast
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sinclair