Pacemaker Instructions

Pacemaker Discharge Instructions

PLEASE CALL:
MCVI for an appointment to have your incision checked and to receive your teletrace instructions and equipment.

One of our Device Clinic staff would like to see you two weeks after you are discharged. The office number is (989) 754-3000 or 1-877-725-6284. Please call the MCVI Device Clinic Nurse if you have any questions.

INCISION:
Inspect your incision daily and notify the nurse/physician if you notice:

Fever
ncisional pain that increases over time rather than decreases
Increased or continued drainage from incision sites
Swelling, increased redness, bruising, warmth or hardness around the incisions(s)
Keep incision dry

DO NOT apply antibiotic ointment
DO NOT remove steri strips

Personal Hygiene:
You may shower 48 hours after your surgery. Avoid exposing your incision(s) to water for about two weeks. Cover the incision with saran wrap to keep dry. Gently wash around the incision with mild soap and water. Pat dry with a clean towel.

Activity:
Gradually increase your activity by walking short distances at frequent intervals.

Pacemaker settings:
The Device Clinic Nurse will review your pacemaker settings when you see her for the first evaluation (in approximately 6 - 8 weeks)

RESTRICTIONS:

DO NOT lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for one month.
DO NOT raise the arm on the side of the PACEMAKER IMPLANT above the shoulder for 4 weeks. You may move your arm to shoulder level, but DO NOT keep your shoulder stiff or immobile.
Avoid activities that require pushing or pulling for 4 weeks, e.g. vacuuming, mowing the lawn, raking, hoeing, sawing, moving furniture, laundry, bowling, or golf. Ask the MCVI Device Clinic Nurse if you have any specific activity questions. Avoid any activity that involves rough contact with your pacemaker.
DO NOT bump the pacemaker site. Contact the MCVI Device Clinic Nurse or your Doctor if any break in the skin occurs. Women should consider putting a flannel sleeve around their bra strap to prevent irritation of the incision.

Medications:
Always take your medication as prescribed by your physician.

Medic Alert:
Medic Alert forms are available at our office. You may want to get a bracelet or neck chain to wear.

Pacemaker ID Card:
A temporary ID card will be given to you prior to discharge. A permanent identification card will be mailed to you from the manufacturer of your Pacemaker in about 4-6 weeks. Your ID card should be carried with you at all times.

Returning to Work:
Your physician will determine when you may return to work.

Travel:
When you travel by airplane, present your ID card at the security check and ask to be cleared for passage with a hand search only. Avoid the hand-held scanning devices and the walk-through airport security systems.

DO NOT DRIVE until the nurse checks your incision site (usually after 2 weeks).

Environmental Restrictions:
Your Pacemaker is made to protect it from most interference produced by any electrical appliances in your home. You can continue to safely operate most appliances and tools that are properly grounded and in good repair, including:

Microwave ovens
Television, cable TV, AM/FM radios, VCR's
Small kitchen appliances
Washer, dryer, electric stove
Hand held items such as hair dryers, electric shavers/razors, electric blankets, heating pads
Spark ignited internal combustion engines, such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers
Hand tools: drills, table saws (unless magnetizes)
Garage door openers

AVOID:
Do not place a magnet on or near your Pacemaker unless instructed to do so by the Clinic staff.

Avoid close exposure to strong electrical, radio, and magnet fields. The Device Clinic Nurse will discuss this information with you when you see her in the office. She will review the following list. If you have any questions, please call MCVI and ask for the Device Clinic Nurse.

Arc welding
Magnets or magnet wands
Airport security hand-held wands
Bingo wands
Stereo speakers
Battery operated cordless power tools
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) -- a diagnostic test performed in a hospital
Diathermy
Electro-cautery (used during surgery to stop bleeding)
Cellular phones
Security devices (do not stand in the doorways of stores, but you can walk through the doorway)

AVOID:

Large generators and power plants
Antennas typically used in the operation of ham or CB radios
Industrial equipment
Induction furnaces
Radar stations
Leaning over running motors

If you suspect your work environment may contain strong energy fields, please call the MCVI Device Clinic to discuss this with the Nurse. She can answer your questions and address your concerns.

Always notify your physician, dentist, therapist, or chiropractor that you have a Pacemaker.

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