The Effect of Visual Sternal Precautions on Behavioral Intentions and Readmissions

Summary

Sternal precautions are standard patient education protocol disseminated to post-operative open heart surgery patients . While this "best practice" safety measure is widely distributed to patients, the origin of said precautions is unknown. Statewide hospitals vary on their parameters for sternal precautions using a myriad of restrictions, i.e. weighted activities, biomechanical movements to be avoided. In addition, the medium in which sternal precautions are taught varies, thus complicating patient adherence to these vital post-operative measures.

The primary objective of this study is to use a randomized pre-post test design to compare two different training procedures. One training group examines current standard of care (providing verbal instruction using teach back and written sternal precautions). The second training group provides subjects with visual depiction of sternal precautions, in addition to standard of care. The study will analyze 30 and 60 day readmission rates for aforementioned patients. Finally, the study will assess changes in behavior intentions from before training to after training in both groups via behavioral analysis survey consisting of 8 questions.

Hypothesis 1: The investigators hypothesize that subjects provided with visual sternal precautions, in addition to standard of care, will have a lower 30 and 60 day readmission rate when compared to subjects in the standard of care group

Hypothesis 2: The investigators hypothesize that changes in behavior intentions toward sternal precautions will be greater from before training to after training in the visual SPs in addition to standard of care group than the standard of care only group.

Conditions

• Intention - Mental Process
• Readmission Rates

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Visual Sternal Precautions

Visual depiction of SPs in addition to "standard of care" written precautions

Sponsors & Collaborators

• North Shore University Hospital

  collaborator OTHER

• Northwell Health

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Craig D Feinman, Doctor of Physical Therapy · North Shore University Hospital, NSLIJ Health System

• Renee Pekmezaris, PhD · North Shore University Hospital, NSLIJ Health System

• Andrzej Kozikowski, PhD · North Shore University Hospital, NSLIJ Health System

• Jonathan Dropkin, ScD, PT · North Shore University Hospital, NSLIJ Health System

• Joanna Steinn, MPH · North Shore University Hospital, NSLIJ Health System

• Alan Hartman, MD · North Shore University Hospital, NSLIJ Health System

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2014-08-31

Primary Completion

2015-04-30

Completion

2015-04-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations