ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study is to 1] evaluate the literature and current trends for sternal precautions. 2] Formulate an evidence based sternal protocol for 'X' hospital 3] Assessing the impact of the protocol on sternal dehiscence and infection rates in 'X' hospital. the objective of the study is to review the current literature on the use of sternal precautions by physiotherapist in the treatment of patient after a CABG surgery and also to compare the sternal infection rate post CABG after implementing sternal precaution protocol in 'X' hospital. Hospital records and post discharge surveillance data from the HR of the 'X' hospital on rate of dehiscence and infection for 207 patients who underwent CABG procedures from 2010 through 2012 were reviewed, which gave an idea about the efficacy of the sternal precautions protocol used in this hospital. Literature review was done to find out about the current trends on sternal precaution protocol. This study includes 207 participants, median age was 55 years 37% of them were having DM and 63% were NDM. Data collected from 2010 to 2012 was reviewed and the rate of infection was 1.45% and rate of sternal dehiscence was not specifically collected, but from a case report only 2 cases were reported 1 male and 1 female both were having poorly controlled diabetic levels and high BMI. Our study showed that the sterna precautions protocol did not contribute to an increase in the rate of infection. Our protocol was not overly restrictive and was well managed by patients