Prescribed Sternal Precautions vs. Self-Guided Restrictive Care (PEEERC)

Patients who are recruited in this study will be randomized (1:1) into one of two groups/arms. The ?rst arm (Arm 1) will receive instruction to use pain and discomfort as the safe limits for their upper limb use during daily activities at post operative discharge. The second arm (Arm 2) will receive the standard sternal precautions at time of post operative discharge. Standard sternal precautions in study arm (2) include: Don't reach both arms overhead Don't reach both arms out to the side Don't reach behind your back Don't lift more than 5 to 8 pounds Don't push with your arms Don't pull with your arms Don't drive Each arm will receive weekly phone calls for 8 weeks. Information including pain, quality of life, and adherence to the sternal precaution protocol will be collected. Please refer to supporting documents (Pain Scale, Quality of Life Questionnaire, and Sternal Precaution Checklist) for the specific questions that will be asked at the patients. We will also investigate any adverse events related to the medical care.