It takes a Village to Care for the Mechanical Circulatory Support Device Patient throughout the Care Environment

Abstract

Purpose Over 23,000 mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices have been implanted since 2006. Survival for patients with MCS at 3 years is approximately 60%. In the hospital environment, there are an increasing number of patients with devices from both index admissions, readmissions and non-device related admissions. Frequently patients in the Progressive and Acute Care settings are required to travel off the unit requiring nurses to leave their other patients while accompanying the MCS patient. Our urban, academic medical center needed a way to support these patients and the team members caring for them. Objectives Creating a safe environment for patients to receive care is of utmost importance in a complex patient population with essential life sustaining equipment. Empowering knowledge to our team members allows for smoother transitions throughout the practice areas and a shared ownership for their safety. Methods A class was developed for support team members and taught by CT Surgery Clinical Nurse Specialists and VAD Coordinators. Transporters, care partners, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, nurses in procedural/ambulatory areas, and others attended the educational class. The 2 hour class consisted of introduction to MCD devices - Heart Mate II, III / HeartWare and Total Artificial Hearts devices. Opportunities for hands on learning allowed for greater comfort with handling the equipment during everyday care or an emergency. This annual required education was offered monthly. Results Stable ventricular assist device patients are able to travel off the Progressive and Acute care units without a nurse or VAD coordinator due to this collaborative effort. There has not been any serious safety events related to VADs being transported off the units since this practice was implemented in 2013. Conclusions It takes a village to care for patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support and this organization welcomes them throughout the care environment. Non licensed team members in additional to nurses in ambulatory areas can safely care for patients when leaving their primary inpatient units, allowing for greater awareness of the special needs of this complex population. Table/Image: Table/Image: Primary Author Registrant ID: 5632540 First Name: Kimberly Last Name: Nelson Phone Number: (540) 226-7533 E-mail: [email protected] Credentials DNP, RN-BC, ACNS-BC, CHFN, CCPC, CCRP, RDCS Affiliation Name: VCU Medical Center Affiliations Address 1: 22 Brown Circle Address 2: City: Fredericksburg State: VA Zip Code: 22405 Over 23,000 mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices have been implanted since 2006. Survival for patients with MCS at 3 years is approximately 60%. In the hospital environment, there are an increasing number of patients with devices from both index admissions, readmissions and non-device related admissions. Frequently patients in the Progressive and Acute Care settings are required to travel off the unit requiring nurses to leave their other patients while accompanying the MCS patient. Our urban, academic medical center needed a way to support these patients and the team members caring for them. Creating a safe environment for patients to receive care is of utmost importance in a complex patient population with essential life sustaining equipment. Empowering knowledge to our team members allows for smoother transitions throughout the practice areas and a shared ownership for their safety. A class was developed for support team members and taught by CT Surgery Clinical Nurse Specialists and VAD Coordinators. Transporters, care partners, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, nurses in procedural/ambulatory areas, and others attended the educational class. The 2 hour class consisted of introduction to MCD devices - Heart Mate II, III / HeartWare and Total Artificial Hearts devices. Opportunities for hands on learning allowed for greater comfort with handling the equipment during everyday care or an emergency. This annual required education was offered monthly. Stable ventricular assist device patients are able to travel off the Progressive and Acute care units without a nurse or VAD coordinator due to this collaborative effort. There has not been any serious safety events related to VADs being transported off the units since this practice was implemented in 2013. It takes a village to care for patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support and this organization welcomes them throughout the care environment. Non licensed team members in additional to nurses in ambulatory areas can safely care for patients when leaving their primary inpatient units, allowing for greater awareness of the special needs of this complex population.