Feeling safe by means of remote cardiac rhythm surveillance after open cardiac surgery: a mixed method pilot feasibility study.

BACKGROUND

This is one of the few European studies of self-management and self-monitoring during the initial two weeks following discharge after open cardiac surgery. Typical outcomes are mortality, morbidity, surgical complications and additional medical treatment. Equally important for enabling person-centred care are the patients’ perspective and main concerns. The aim was to explore feasibility, self-management experiences and consequences in everyday life when self-monitoring with the Coala Heart Monitor® after cardiac surgery.

METHODS

In this mixed method pilot feasibility study, we included 20 patients. One drop-out resulted in 12 men and 7 women with a mean age 59 years (range 27–82 years) participating in the study. Information about the participants’ heart rate was collected prospectively from discharge until two weeks post discharge. Retrospective interviews were performed after two weeks to explore their self-management experiences at home while performing self-monitoring. We used deductive content analysis in line with Hsieh and Shannon (2005), guided by Lorig & Holman’s (2003) self-management framework. Person centeredness was measured by the Being Taken Seriously Questionnaire. Approval was granted by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (D.nr. 2020–05007).

RESULTS

The device was considered easy to use and administer regardless of the patient’s age. Self-monitoring supports self-management after open cardiac surgery by providing a sense of safety despite distance from the hospital. It stimulates learning about one’s body and symptoms in a highly useful way and can be adopted by both young and older patients, in addition to promoting relatives’ constructive participation. Self-monitoring also acts as a bridge between the discharged patient and healthcare professionals, thus strengthening and extending the caring relationship.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, self-monitoring provides tangible signs of well-being and control.