QualiBreath is an external sternum and thorax support for patients recovering after sternotomy and other chest procedures. It consists of an adjustable elastic band around the chest, integrated handles, and adjustable shoulder straps.

QualiBreath works in two ways. It provides constant support around the chest, and it includes integrated handles that allow the patient to increase support during coughing, sneezing, straining, movement, or breathing exercises.

QualiBreath is intended for patients after sternotomy procedures and may be especially useful for patients at higher risk of postoperative complications, such as patients with obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, advanced age, chronic cough, COPD, or smoking history.

No. QualiBreath may also help patients who experience chest discomfort or pain after other thoracic procedures or chest trauma. Always follow the advice of the treating healthcare professional.

Yes. QualiBreath can be used by women, especially patients with smaller breast sizes. Women with larger breast sizes may need a purpose-designed support bra with integrated sternum support, such as QualiBra Advanced.

Yes. QualiBreath has been evaluated for postoperative recovery criteria including pain, sternal separation, patient function, comfort, breathing, and exercise activities.

QualiBreath provides external support around the chest and sternum. It can help patients manage discomfort during breathing, coughing, movement, and recovery after surgery in the thoracic cavity.

After a sternotomy, the two halves of the sternum are held together internally with wires or plates. External support may help complement this internal closure by reducing lateral strain on the sternum.

Yes. QualiBreath uses a selected elastic material designed to provide firm support while maintaining comfort. Correct sizing and proper adjustment are important for the intended support.

No. QualiBreath is designed so that it does not cover the lower lung lobes or upper abdominal area. It supports the chest while allowing abdominal breathing and diaphragm movement.

QualiBreath may help reduce discomfort by supporting the ribs, sternum, and respiratory muscles during breathing, coughing, sneezing, and movement.

The patient can grasp the integrated handles and bring them together. This increases the circumferential chest support and helps counteract the increased pressure during coughing, sneezing, or straining.

Many patients feel reassured by continuous chest support. The handles also help patients manage coughing, breathing exercises, and movement more independently.

Early use gives external support to the sternum from the start of recovery. The treating healthcare team should decide when and how it is applied after surgery.

QualiBreath is available in multiple adult, pediatric, toddler, and infant sizes. Adult sizes include XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL, and 4XL.

Different sizes allow a better fit around the patient’s chest. Correct sizing helps position the shoulder straps and handles properly and improves comfort and support.

No. Adult sizes are wider than pediatric, toddler, and infant sizes. The width is adapted to the patient group.

Measure the chest directly under the armpits and above the breasts. Then compare the measurement with the QualiBreath size guide before ordering.

QualiBreath should be adjusted so it provides support without excessive pressure. Immediately after surgery, healthcare staff may start with a lighter closure and adjust it when the patient is awake and cooperative.

The selected size may be too large. Check that the handles remain correctly positioned on each side of the sternum. If the fit is not correct, choose a smaller size.

A normal clothing or T-shirt size can be used only as a rough guide. For best fit, use a measuring tape and follow the size guide.

In hospital use, QualiBreath is typically applied immediately after surgery by healthcare staff. Patients should follow the instructions of their treating team.

QualiBreath is designed to be used directly on the skin. It can also be worn over clothing, provided there are no folds that could irritate the skin.

QualiBreath should be positioned as high as possible on the front of the chest and as high as comfortable on the back, without causing irritation under the arms.

An underarm cut-out would reduce the continuous encircling support around the chest. The full band height helps maintain the intended lateral sternum support.

Check the position and shoulder strap adjustment. If the straps are crossed at the back, uncrossing them may lower the back position. AxillaPads can also be used to help protect the underarm area.

Not immediately after surgery. It should initially be applied by healthcare staff. Later, when the patient is active and has learned safe movement, it can usually be positioned without help.

The patient places the thumbs under the handle folds on both sides of the sternum and closes the hands to bring the handles together. This increases chest support when needed.

The handles should be used for extra support during coughing, sneezing, straining, deep breathing exercises, movement, or other painful situations.

Yes. The handles can usually be grasped through shirts, T-shirts, or blouses, so QualiBreath can be worn discreetly under clothing.

No. The distance between the handles increases proportionally with larger QualiBreath sizes.

Drainage tubes usually exit below the lower edge of QualiBreath. In some cases, depending on the patient’s build, the drains may pass under the elastic material.

Yes. QualiBreath is designed to be used in bed and during daily movement, directly on the skin or under clothing.

QualiBreath is intended for day and night use for at least 8 weeks, or according to the physician’s recommendation.

No. The material is ventilated to help the skin breathe.

Normally no. The material is ventilated. Patients with heavy underarm perspiration may use AxillaPads, which can be changed and washed as needed.

Skin irritation is unlikely when the product is positioned correctly. The seams and labels are on the outside, and the handles are integrated inside the material.

Yes. QualiBreath is free from natural rubber latex.

Yes. For longer elastic life, wash at 30°C / 86°F and do not tumble dry. Washing at 60°C / 140°F is possible, though it should be limited because repeated high-temperature washing can reduce elasticity.

No. QualiBreath is a one-patient product and should follow the patient home when continued use is needed after discharge.

QualiBreath combines continuous chest support with integrated handles for extra support when needed. Many other supports provide only continuous support or only cough support.

No. A pillow cannot provide continuous sternum support. It also needs to be held in place manually and may not be available immediately when the patient coughs, sneezes, or moves.