Ventricular Assist Device Self-care Education at Tertiary Care Medical Centers.

Ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation requires patients and caregivers to attain self-care knowledge and skills before discharge from implant hospitalization. Inability to perform these skills can have devastating outcomes (i.e.

Propensity Score-Matched Comparison of Right Ventricular Strain in Women and Men Before and After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Adverse events following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation are more common in women than in men, but the impact of gender differences on right ventricular (RV) failure is not well defined. Therefore, we calculated RV strain before and after LVAD implantation in matched groups of men and women to determine if gender differences in RV failure after LVAD might account for the gender differences in overall outcomes. RV free wall longitudinal strain (FWS) and fractional area change were calculated preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively using speckle-tracking echocardiography analysis.

Colonization with Multidrug-resistant Organisms in Patients with Ventricular Assist Devices.

Infection is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with ventricular assist devices (VAD). The impact of colonization with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) on outcomes in this cohort is unknown. Patients on VAD support from July 2008 to September 2018 at a single site were evaluated for MDRO colonization after implantation.

Effect of Ventricular Assist Device Self-care Simulation-Based Mastery Learning on Driveline Exit Site Infections: A Pilot Study.

Background: Ventricular assist device simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) results in better patient and caregiver self-care skills compared with usual training.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of SBML on driveline exit site infections.

Methods: We compared the probability of remaining infection free at 3 and 12 months between patients randomized to SBML or usual training.

Short-term Retention of Patient and Caregiver Ventricular Assist Device Self-care Skills after Simulation-based Mastery Learning.

Background: We developed a simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) curriculum that boosted self-care skills for patients with a ventricular assist device (VAD). In this study, we evaluated short-term skills retention.

Methods: We assessed skill retention among patients and caregivers who participated in VAD self-care SBML at a tertiary care center.

Patient, Caregiver, and Clinician Perceptions of Ventricular Assist Device Self-care Education Inform the Development of a Simulation-based Mastery Learning Curriculum.

Background: Patients who undergo ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation and their caregivers must rapidly learn a significant amount of self-care skills and knowledge.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore patient, caregiver, VAD coordinator, and physician perspectives and perceptions of existing VAD self-care training to inform development of a simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) curriculum to teach patients and caregivers VAD self-care skills and knowledge.

Methods: We conducted semistructured, in-person interviews with patients with a VAD, their caregivers, VAD coordinators, and physicians (cardiac surgeons, an infectious disease physician, and advanced heart failure cardiologists).

Simulation-Based Mastery Learning Improves Patient and Caregiver Ventricular Assist Device Self-Care Skills: A Randomized Pilot Trial.

Background: No recognized standards exist for teaching patients and their caregivers ventricular assist device (VAD) self-care skills. We compared the effectiveness of a VAD simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) self-care training curriculum with usual VAD self-care training.

Methods And Results: VAD patients and their caregivers were randomized to SBML or usual training during their implant hospitalization.

The Effect of Judge Selection on Standard Setting Using the Mastery Angoff Method during Development of a Ventricular Assist Device Self-Care Curriculum.

Background: Patients and caregivers need to perform ventricular assist device (VAD) self-care safely to help prevent complications (e.g., infection).