Post Cardiac Surgery

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General Information

This leaflet gives advice on preventing wound infections after cardiac surgery.

After leaving the hospital, please follow the advice of your healthcare team to prevent infection

• Most operations involve making cuts (wounds) in the skin. Most wounds heal without causing problems. A wound can allow bacteria from the skin or environment to get into the body and this can cause an infection.
• The wound in the centre of your chest is referred to as the ‘chest wound’.
• Typically with cardiac surgery you may have an additional wound on your arm or leg.

Taking a shower with chest and leg / arm wounds

• If you have a dressing in place, do not get it wet.
• Talk to your practice nurse / GP for advice on managing your dressing.

If your wound is healed

• Showering is preferable to taking a bath.
• It is OK to let warm water run over your healed wound.
• After the shower or bath, dry yourself thoroughly. Pat your wounds dry, making sure not to rub them.
• Using shower gel / liquid soap is preferable to bars of soap.

Until your wounds have completely healed:

• Do not share towels with other members of the household.
• Do not apply lotion, powder or ointments to the wounds.
• Do not use perfumed soap or perfumed body wash as this can irritate the wounds.

Your healthcare provider will look for these signs of infection, which include:

• Increased swelling or oozing from the wound.
• Increased pain or soreness.
• The wound has begun to open / gape.
• Redness around the wound.
• Feeling hotter along the wound line.
• Fever (greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Centigrade).

Post-operative wound care

• If you have a dressing in place do not interfere or pick at it.
• Do not touch or peek at wounds while they are healing, this can increase the chances of infection.
• Follow a nutritious diet for the first 4 weeks to promote wound healing and then follow a healthy diet there after.

If in doubt please contact Level 7a Millennium Building.

Other people you can call:

• District nurse if one is visiting you post discharge.
• Your practice nurse at your local GP.
• Your local GP.