Applying for a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Transcription

1 Applying for a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program UHN Information for patients and families Read this information to learn: what a cardiac rehabilitation program is how to apply for the program what to expect at the rehabilitation hospital who to talk to if you have any questions You had heart surgery. Now, you need some help learning how to take care of yourself while you recover. A cardiac rehabilitation program can help you do this. This booklet explains how the rehabilitation program works. What is a cardiac rehabilitation program? A cardiac rehabilitation program helps you: recover from your heart surgery build your strength and confidence teach you how to manage when you return home Please visit the UHN Patient Education website for more health information: University Health Network. All rights reserved. This information is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for non-commercial personal use only. Author: UHN Social Work Created: 10/2005 Form: D-5201 (09/2013)

2 How do I apply for the rehabilitation program? First you and your healthcare team will decide whether you need cardiac rehabilitation after surgery. If you do, a social worker will complete an application with you as soon as possible. The social worker will send the application to both of these hospitals: Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (TRI) 550 University Ave Toronto, ON (University Ave. and Dundas St.) St. John s Hospital 285 Cummer Ave. North York, ON (Yonge St. and Finch Ave.) When will I start the program? You will start the program when a bed is available in either hospital. Both hospitals will give you excellent care. When a bed becomes available, it s usually ready the next day. When your doctor says you are ready to start the program, we will talk to you about the next steps. What happens if I can t get into either hospital? If both hospitals don t have any beds available, we will ask you to make other rehabilitation plans. For example, some retirement homes have rehabilitation programs for a fee. One of our social workers can help you find another program. What kind of room will I have at the hospital? At both hospitals, these types of rooms are available: standard rooms (4 beds in a room) semi-private (2 beds in a room) private rooms 2

3 Your Ontario Health Card will pay for a standard room. You will have to pay for semiprivate and private rooms. Please check with your health insurance company about what they will cover in a rehabilitation hospital. You will also have to pay to have a phone or a television in your room. What do I need to bring to the rehabilitation hospital? Ask a family member or friend to pack: loose-fitting clothes (for example: track pants, t-shirts) comfortable walking shoes toiletries (for example: toothpaste, hairbrush) Please bring your Ontario Health Card with you. What can I do to prepare for the move? You may be very tired from moving hospitals. Here are some tips for saving your energy: Pack your bags the night before you leave the hospital. Get dressed early the next morning. Rest before you move hospitals. Don t lift any heavy bags or luggage. Please ask your nurse or family for help. If you are in pain, take pain medicine before moving hospitals. This will make you more comfortable during the trip. You may need to rest when you arrive at the rehabilitation hospital. This is normal. What will happen when I leave Toronto General Hospital? The nurses will give you written information about your heart surgery. Please give this information to the rehabilitation hospital staff. 3

4 Please make sure you: leave the Toronto General Hospital by 10:00 AM get to the rehabilitation hospital by 11:00 AM A family member or friend can take you to the hospital. If this is not possible, we can get an ambulance to take you there. What can I expect when I get to the rehabilitation hospital? At the rehabilitation hospital: You will go to the admitting department to fill out any paperwork. A doctor will admit you to the hospital. Then, you will go to your hospital ward. We will talk to you about your treatment. We will also talk to you about any medicine you will be taking. You will spend the first day resting and getting used to the new hospital and staff. Rehabilitation staff will check your health. Then they will design a special program for you. This program may include exercise classes and other classes that will help you recover. The nursing staff will: check your heart care for your incisions (cuts) give you medicine help you with your personal care (if you need it) You will work with special staff like physiotherapists and occupational therapists. How long will I stay at the rehabilitation hospital? Most patients are in the hospital for 1 or 2 weeks. How long you stay will depend on how quickly you recover from heart surgery. 4

5 What if I still need help when I leave the hospital? If you need help, please talk to the rehabilitation hospital staff. We can suggest or arrange services such as: homecare services Meals on Wheels private agencies that can help you at home Who can I talk to if I have any other questions? Please talk to the social worker who is helping you apply for the program. Name: Phone: 5