Partners in community care
Salem Health Hospitals & Clinics and Santiam Hospital & Clinics share a culture that is committed to high-quality local health care. We are dedicated to our vision of a healthy, vibrant community and expanding access to medical services.
How can we make your day better?
Nurses sew special pillows for open-heart surgery patients
Katie S., a registered nurse with Salem Hospital’s cardiovascular care unit, is part of a group of nurses, family and friends who sew heart-shaped pillows for patients recovering from open-heart surgery. The pillows help patients avoid putting stress on their healing sternums — sometimes for months after surgery.
“They have to use the heart pillow to splint their broken bone,” says Katie.
The hospital sometimes has three open-heart surgeries a day, which can cause periodic pillow shortages. That’s why hospital staffers decided to help.
Community members can help, too. If you’re interested in sewing heart pillows and would like a copy of the pattern, call Salem Health volunteer services at 503-814-1792.
- Aging and older adults
- Heart health
- Hospital news
- Our community
- article
- feature
- video
Nurses sew special pillows for open-heart surgery patients
Katie S., a registered nurse with Salem Hospital’s cardiovascular care unit, is part of a group of nurses, family and friends who sew heart-shaped pillows for patients recovering from open-heart surgery. The pillows help patients avoid putting stress on their healing sternums — sometimes for months after surgery.
“They have to use the heart pillow to splint their broken bone,” says Katie.
The hospital sometimes has three open-heart surgeries a day, which can cause periodic pillow shortages. That’s why hospital staffers decided to help.
Community members can help, too. If you’re interested in sewing heart pillows and would like a copy of the pattern, call Salem Health volunteer services at 503-814-1792.
Leave a commentOrder by
Newest on top Oldest on top