ADLs after getting pacemaker defibrillator - Health Online

UW MEDICINE | PATIENT EDUCATION

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Activitie s o f D aily Livin g Afte r Ge ttin g a Pacem aker or Defibrillator

Precautions and self-care

This handout gives important safety guidelines to follow after getting a pacemaker or defibrillator.

Why do I need to follow safety guidelines?

You will need to protect your device after surgery. Until your care team tells

D R A F T you otherwise, follow the safety guidelines (precautions) in this handout. For the first 24 hours after your surgery:

? W e ar a s lin g. After 24 hours, you m ay take it off. But, you m ay want to keep wearing your sling for com fort. If you choose to keep wearing the sling, take it off every 2 hours and stretch your elbow and shoulder.

Fo r the first 30 days after yo ur surgery:

With the arm that is on the sam e side as your surgery (your surgical arm ):

? Do n o t lift anything that weighs m ore than 10 to 15 pounds. (For exam ple, m ost vacuum cleaners weigh about 10 pounds.) Do not wear a bra or any garm ent that requires you to reach behind you.

? Do n o t lift your elbow higher than your shoulder.

? Do n o t put your arm behind your back.

? Do n o t make any sudden m ovem ents with your surgical arm .

Ac ti vi ti e s

Standing up from sitting:

? Do n o t push off with the arm that is Ask for help when reaching for

on the sam e side as your surgery.

anything above shoulder height.

Pu ttin g o n a s h irt, blo u s e , jacke t, o r co at:

? Slide your surgical arm into the sleeve.

? With your other arm , gently slide the garm ent over your shoulder and around your back.

? Slide your other arm into the other sleeve.

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Page 1 of 2 | Activities o f Daily Livin g Afte r Gettin g a Pacem ake r o r Defibrillator

Occupation al Th erapy | Box 356154 1959 N.E. Pacific St., Seattle, WA 98 19 5 | 20 6.598 .48 30

Takin g o ff a s h irt, blo us e , jacke t, o r co at:

? Carefully rem ove the sleeve from your non-surgical arm .

? Using your non-surgical hand:

? Gather the garm ent onto the side of your surgery.

? Pull the shirt off your surgical arm .

Putting on your pants, shorts or underwear:

? Sit in a chair. Lift 1 leg at a tim e and slip it into a pant leg until your foot is clear of the garm ent.

? With both feet firm ly on the ground, hold onto your pants and stand up.

? Pull your pants over your hips. Make sure your surgical arm does n o t go behind your back.

D R A F T Taking off your pants, shorts or underwear: ? Use your non-surgical arm to reach behind your back, if needed, to pull down your pants.

Putting on your shoes and socks:

? Sit in a chair. Lift 1 leg an d place that ankle on top of the other knee.

? With your hands, slide the sock or shoe over your toes. Make sure your surgical arm does not bend m ore than 90 degrees (a right angle).

? Gently pull the sock or shoe over your foot.

? Repeat for the other foot.

Putting on a bra:

Please talk with your occupational therapist about wearing a bra.

Bathing:

? For 1 week: Do n o t get your incision wet.

? For 6 weeks (or until your doctor says it is OK): Do n o t take a bath or do any other water activities that will soak your incision.

? When you shower:

Questions?

Your questions are important. Call your doctor or healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns.

Occupational Therapy: 206.598.4830

? Wash your incision, gently m assage soap on the area with your fingers or a washcloth. Do n o t scrub your skin or wound

? Use your non-surgical arm to wash, rinse, and dry areas that are hard to reach, such as your head, backside, and legs.

Other activities:

? Follow your doctor's instructions about driving an d sexual activity.

? Check with your doctor before you do any activities that use your arm s. Som e of these activities are swim m ing, golfing, playing tennis, shooting a gun, wrestlin g, playin g football, vacuum ing, and sweeping.

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? University of Washington Medical Center Published PFES: 11/2017 Clinician Review: 11/2017

Page 2 of 2 | Activitie s of Daily Livin g Afte r Ge ttin g a Pace m ake r o r De fibrillato r

Occupation al Th erapy | Box 356154

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1959 N.E. Pacific St., Seattle, WA 98 19 5 | 20 6.598 .48 30

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