This heart month, Mercy Health - St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital is proud to announce the successful implementation of Keep Your Move in the Tube, an evidence-based recovery method for cardiac surgery patients that’s helping individuals regain independence faster and return home sooner after surgery.
Keep Your Move in the Tube has gained wide adoption across hospitals in the United States, Canada and Australia. The approach replaces traditional, overly restrictive “sternal precautions” that often limit patients’ confidence and mobility after heart surgery.
The technique encourages patients to keep their arms close to the body like they are inside an imaginary tube while moving, helping protect the healing sternum while allowing safe, functional activity.
Studies have shown that patients using this approach experience have faster returns to daily life, improved strength and are three times more likely to be discharged home rather than to a rehabilitation facility. At St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, Keep Your Move in the Tube is now a core part of the hospitals Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols – a comprehensive, modern approach that spans the entire surgical journey from preoperative preparation through recovery.
Led by Kayla Lamp, BSN, RN, CV‑BC, ERAS cardiac clinical coordinator and Rich Haybarger, physical therapy coordinator, the successful implementation of the process reflects Mercy Health’s commitment of providing high-quality and compassionate care while improving the health and well-being of the communities they serve.
Kayla and Rich played a key role in building confidence in the new program, ensuring everyone felt supported throughout the transition. “In collaboration with Rich Haybarger – whose expertise was instrumental in the process – we successfully implemented ‘Keep Your Move in the Tube’ into our practice,” said Kayla Lamp. “I personally followed our first patient daily to ensure safety and provide support to staff during this transition. Witnessing the patient confidently and independently rise from a chair, pain free and smiling, was a powerful moment of validation.”
“Our goal is to help patients recover faster, regain confidence and safely return home,” said Rich Haybarger. “The ‘Move in the Tube’ approach fits perfectly with our mission to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered care that truly makes a difference.”
Implementing innovative recovery programs like Keep Your Move in the Tube demonstrates Mercy Health’s commitment to empowering patients, optimizing outcomes and enhancing the overall patient experience. One of the first patients to benefit from the new approach was Leonard Bednar, who underwent quadruple bypass surgery this summer. Leonard said the “imaginary tube” technique was key to his smooth recovery.
“It was hard the first day because of the pain; however, with the support of the Mercy Health team I was able to stay motivated,” Leonard shared, highlighting Kayla Lamp, ERAS cardiac clinical coordinator; Dr. Stephanie Cerrone; and Dr. Lucas Henn. “If I thought about doing the tube movement before lifting or moving, I had no pain. I always kept my arms close to my side and it kept my chest safe. I couldn’t have done this without the care team at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. I give them a 10+ and I’m a happy camper.” Now, just months later, Leonard has returned to driving and golfing – activities that once seemed far off.
The success of the implementation at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital has drawn praise from the program’s originators Baylor Scott & White Health, which developed the program in 2016.
“Every time I see a hospital adopt the Keep Your Move in the Tube, I know they are dedicated to what’s truly best for patients,” said Tiffany Schock, PT, DPT, from Baylor Scott & White Health. “They’re not doing things the old way just because that’s how it’s always been done. They are using evidence-based practices designed to improve outcomes and empower patients.”
By embracing innovations like Keep Your Move in the Tube, Mercy Health - St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital continues to lead in delivering advance cardiac care that emphasizes safety, independence and long-term recovery aligned with Mercy Health’s mission to provide high-quality, compassionate care for every patient.