Cardiac Chart Review Part 3: Surgeries, Lines, Tubes, Airways, and Devices

Presented by Kristen Keech and Jessica Asiello

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Cardiac surgery patients present with complex medical needs that directly affect rehabilitation planning, safety, and progression. This course equips occupational therapy practitioners and other acute care clinicians with the knowledge needed to interpret chart documentation related to common cardiac surgeries, invasive monitoring lines, drainage systems, airways, and supportive devices. By understanding the clinical rationale, recovery timelines, and precautions associated with these interventions, clinicians will be better prepared to assess readiness for activity, coordinate care, and support safe functional engagement. Topics include full sternotomy precautions, mobility considerations for patients on mechanical circulatory support, and evidence-based activity guidelines for patients with invasive lines and respiratory devices. This course is intended for practitioners working in hospital settings with patients recovering from cardiac surgical interventions. Learning Objectives

Categorize common cardiac surgeries based on clinical rationales and expected recovery needs
Deconstruct terminology commonly found in acute care medical records to analyze common lines, tubes, airways, and devices that influence the context of patient care
Analyze the implications of each contextual component for patient safety, expected functional presentation, and typical prognoses in the acute care setting
Integrate evidence-based mobility guidelines and postsurgical precautions into care plans that support safe participation in functional activities

Meet your instructors

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Kristen Keech

Dr. Kristen Keech is an occupational therapist passionate about advancing care and advocating for survivors of brain injury. She holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of New Hampshire and a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from the MGH Institute of Health Professions. She is recognized as a…

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Jessica Asiello

Jessica Asiello is an assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the MGH Institute for Health Professions in Boston, Massachusetts. She primarily teaches in the online postprofessional OTD program. Her clinical practice is in acute care at…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. Cardiac Procedures and Surgeries

This chapter introduces a range of cardiac procedures, from minimally invasive interventions to open-heart surgeries, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and heart transplantation. Clinicians will explore surgical recovery implications, with a focus on sternal precautions and early mobilization strategies. An overview of mechanical circulatory support devices prepares providers for working with patients at varying levels of acuity and complexity.

2. Lines for the Care of Cardiac Surgery Patients

In this chapter, participants will learn about common invasive lines used for monitoring and medication delivery, such as pulmonary artery catheters, central lines, arterial lines, peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) lines, and peripheral IVs. The content emphasizes safety precautions, line management during mobility, and how to interpret line presence and placement during chart review and planning.

3. Tubes and Drains for the Care of Cardiac Surgery Patients

This chapter covers urinary catheters, chest tubes, and feeding tubes frequently used post-cardiac surgery. Clinicians will understand the purpose, placement, and risks associated with each device, as well as how to safely mobilize patients and monitor for signs of complications.

4. Respiratory Support Systems for Cardiac Surgery Patients

This chapter focuses on oxygen delivery systems, noninvasive ventilation, and mechanical ventilation via endotracheal or tracheostomy tubes. Providers will gain insight into how respiratory supports affect participation in activity and the importance of team-based coordination to ensure safety during therapy with patients requiring respiratory assistance.

5. Additional Devices for the Care of Cardiac Surgery Patients

The final chapter introduces additional devices, including temporary cardiac pacing wires and renal replacement therapies such as hemodialysis and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Emphasis is placed on identifying device-related precautions, collaborating with interprofessional teams, and safely integrating functional activity into the care plan.