Follow-Up Appointments
Before you leave the hospital, your nurse will meet with you and your family to review your discharge instructions, medications, activity guidelines and upcoming appointments. At this time all your questions will be answered.
After you leave the hospital, your contact with the cardiac surgery team and clinical care will not end. Some patients may require a short stay at an inpatient rehabilitation center to get their strength back before going home.
Nurse Case Manager
Regardless of whether you go to rehab or straight home, a visiting nurse will be arranged prior to discharge home by a nurse case manager. The assigned VNA (Visiting Nurse Association) should call you within one to two days of discharge to arrange their first visit.
Assessment and Schedule
Your needs will be assessed at this visit, and a schedule will be arranged for subsequent visits. On average you will receive nursing visits one to two times a week for a week or two. Again, these visits are based on need.
The frequency of visits will fluctuate from patient to patient. If you do not hear from your VNA within one to two days after you are discharged home, you should call the number given to you on the next available business day.
Follow-Up Phone Calls
You will receive a call at home within a few days of discharge from the cardiac surgery nurse. This call is a follow-up to answer any questions or concerns that you have once you are home. Also, you may receive a call approximately 30 days after your surgery to inquire about your progress if you were not seen in clinic.
Follow-Up Appointments
After you are discharged home, you will need to see your doctors for follow-up appointments.
1. Follow-Up with Surgeon
Prior to dischage, an appointment will be made for you to see your surgeon fhree weeks after your surgery. During this visit, your overall progress will be checked. If you wish to confirm your appointment, call 617-632-8383.
2. Follow-Up with Primary Care Physician
You should make an appointment to see your primary care physician and/or cardiologist four weeks after discharge so they may be updated on your progress and review your new medication list.
MetroWest Medical Center Patients
Patients who receive their care at MetroWest Medical Center do not have to return to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for your follow-up care. One of our surgeons sees patients at the Heart Center of MetroWest on Thursday mornings.
Your wound check and subsequent visits can be done there for your convenience. To make an appointment at the Heart Center, please call 508-875-4811.