LVADone
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Josh,
Thanks again for being willing to share... this is a awesome resource.
I've known of LVAD's prehospitaly in my area for over 5 years now. Haven't had the chance to transport a LVAD patient yet... but it is going to happen sooner or later.
Not only does the hosptial notify the primary EMS agency, the hosptial and/or the primary EMS agency notify their backups. In recent months, I've been aware of 3 patients living in my second-due area, and one that attended daily rehab sessions in my first-due.
We've also discussed the potential need for aeromedical transport for these patients to the LVAD center, in at least one case making a helicopter being placed on standby part of the dispatched response for an EMS call at that residence... we are located about 30-45 minutes by ground to the various LVAD centers.
Something I haven't seen yet - when the LVAD recipient leaves the house, they MUST have a trained companion with them - the companion is supposed to know how to troubleshoot the pump and be able to assist responders if needed... MAKE SURE TO LISTEN TO THAT PERSON! They are a subject matter expert... and you aren't.
Jon
Hi jon...thanks for sharing that and the protocols. There is no doubt that the LVAD recipient will be more common place in the world... for many reasons...bottom up and top down perspectives... thats for another post
But we are finding LVAD regulations vary state to state regarding if they should be alone at times and or drive a vehicle alone at times as it will be impossible to be with a trained companion at all times... my wife, mother...children are all trained. However i and my hospital come from the school that LVAD recipients should take control and know more than most... thats why on my blog i wrote the LVAD CREED
In Utah they actually have "automobile driving tests" for LVAD patients/recipients where they literally shut off the LVAD as you drive to see if you can handle pulling the vehicle over and deal with the weaning LVAD...
Anyway... it is my prediction that the LVADer will be out and about... alone eventually and i hope the rest of the world doesnt treat them like zombies
thanks for your great perspective on this
josh