Inhale Cough and Deep Breathe Oral/Mouth Care Up - Head of Bed Up/Elevated Get out of Bed/Get moving Have a Conversation

Transcription

1 Preventing Pneumonia: ICOUGH Inhale Cough and Deep Breathe Oral/Mouth Care Up - Head of Bed Up/Elevated Get out of Bed/Get moving Have a Conversation

2 Did you know anytime you are in the hospital, your lungs need help to prevent pneumonia. Pneumonia is a potentially life threatening condition and can cause serious complications. ICOUGH sm is an acronym to remind you of the simple activities necessary for good lung function. These simple activities, including early and frequent mobilization, lung exercises, oral hygiene and education will help prevent you from developing lung complications, such as pneumonia, while you are in the hospital. The acronym ICOUGH stands for: I C Inhale: Inhale and hold for 3 seconds or use Incentive Spirometry (a breathing device) to help you expand your lungs and open the airways throughout your lungs. Taking a deep breath will help loosen any mucus in your lungs. Mucus is a good environment for pneumonia germs to grow in. Cough and Deep Breathe: Deep breaths and full coughs will improve oxygen delivery to your healing tissues and remove any mucus in your lungs. O U G H Oral/Mouth Care: Brushing your mouth (teeth, gums and tongue) decreases the amount of germs in your mouth which could move down into your lungs and cause pneumonia. Up - Head of Bed Up/Elevated: It is important to keep the head of the bed elevated between degrees. Being in an upright position will help expand your lungs. Get out of Bed/Get moving: When it is safe to do so you will be assisted out of bed and you will go for walks. Activity helps your lungs to expand and also helps to remove any mucus from your lungs. Sitting up for and after meals aids in preventing food from slipping into your lungs thus providing a place for germs to grow. Have a Conversation: It is important for you and your family to understand how to perform these activities and why it is so important to do so. This will speed up your recovery during your hospital admission. Make sure to ask someone on your health care team if you are unsure of how or when to perform these activities. 2 3

3 Pain Medicine If you are experiencing pain, make sure you ask your nurse for pain medication so you can be as comfortable as possible. Good pain relief is necessary for you to perform the activities described in this pamphlet. Being unable to take a deep breath increases your risk of getting pneumonia. Pneumonia Prevention Strategies You are an important member of your care team. Do these exercises frequently while awake to reduce your chance of getting pneumonia. The best exercise is getting up and moving around! Please complete these exercises/activities everyday as described below. Inhale: Inhale and hold for 3 seconds or use Incentive Spirometry. Use of Incentive Spirometry: 1. Exhale normally, letting all the breath out. 2. Hold the spirometer in an upright position and close your lips around the mouthpiece. 3. Inhale through mouth until the balls are raised completely; hold the balls up for 2 3 seconds. 4. Remove the mouthpiece and exhale. Use Incentive Spirometer: 3 times every 30 minutes Deep Breath and Cough: 1. Take a faster deep breath IN and cough. Get rid of that mucus! 2. Take a 30 second break. Repeat 2 more times. Do Deep Breath and Cough: 3 times every 30 minutes Oral/Mouth Care: Brush your mouth (teeth, gums, and tongue). 3 times a day: morning, noon and night. Do this even if you are not eating. UP: Elevate the head of the bed while in bed at all times. Ask your health care provider if there are any restrictions to getting up and moving. Get up and Get moving: Be active and moving as often as you can. Also, sit in a chair for meals and at least 15 minutes after eating. Ask your health care provider if there are any restrictions to getting up and moving. Have a Conversation: Talk to your health care team about pneumonia prevention. Use your Pneumonia Prevention Checklist to keep track of these activities. 4 5

4 Preventing Pneumonia: Daily Patient and Family Checklist Put a check each time you complete a set. *Incentive Spirometry 3 times every 30 minutes Coughing and Deep Breathing 3 times every 30 minutes Oral Care At least 3 times a day Get Up and Get Moving Questions to ask Hospital Staff After reading this material, you may have some additional questions. Please write them down here so you do not forget to ask them. *Or deep breath in and hold for 3 seconds. 6 7

5 Resources CIBC Centre for patients and families This centre can help you find more information on your condition as well as local services and support available. It is located on the main floor of the Jim Pattison Pavilion behind the information desk. Healthlink BC Speak with a nurse, pharmacist or dietitian. Services available in 130 languages. or call 811 For deaf and hearing-impaired assistance (TTY) call 711 ICOUGH sm Patient information video from Boston College ICOUGH sm is a registered service mark of Boston Medical Center Corporation. We gratefully acknowledge their consent to use an adapted version in VCH materials. For more copies, go online at or phem@vch.ca and quote Catalogue No. FN.200.P74 Vancouver Coastal Health, June 2015 The information in this document is intended solely for the person to whom it was given by the health care team.