Promoting family-centered care through a preoperative class

Occupational therapists in pediatric acute care often see children after complex cardiac surgeries. Our standard of care is typically an evaluation on post-op day 1, followed by subsequent treatments until discharge. Sometimes, I feel as though I am word vomiting all the information on day 1: “Don’t pick up the patient under the armpits, do a scoop transfer, use upright positioning, conduct an out of bed activity, focus on delirium prevention, and on and on and on.” This is likely a correct depiction of how the families hear our guidance (considering they just came out of potentially one of the most stressful events of their lives!) We have to say it though, right?