LVAD patients in travel position

[sarena33]

Hello all,

I have recently been contacted by a manager in a Cardiac Progressive Care Unit for a 3 month travel contract. The unit sounds exactly like the last unit I was working at in London, England. Similar setup, patient to nurse ratio, patient population, a lot of CHF, same type of drips etc. The only thing is that they have a lot of LVAD patients. I have never cared for an LVAD patient. Because I've been a cardiac nurse for 5 years, I completely understand the concept and I have been educating myself on post-op care for LVAD patients and have even watched some videos.

My question is, do you think I will be okay to care for these patients (with the general support of my co-workers, manager said it's a very supportive environment) after having no hands on experience caring for them? Also, even if I had cared for these patients in the past, chances are, considering I've been working in England for 3 years, that the manufacturing company would be different. So I'd need training anyway because of that, am I right??

Also, any advice on where I can get the most up to date resources on LVADs? Thanks.

[tcvnurse, BSN, RN]

Try the Thoratec website- they do the heart mate 2 and 3, and maybe the centrimag? Heartware is the other main VAD we see a lot, you could try their website also. We have a dedicated VAD day about 4 times a year where we go through all the stations and get our competencies checked off. If your hospital takes care of VADs I can only assume that you will need to get checked off too, and therefore will go to the rehired classes. Good luck!!!

[MYSTICOOKIEBEAR]

I would say listen to what the manager and nurses on the floor have to say. More likely that not, you will NOT be taking the LVADs unless you have had prior experience with them. If you do get the gig, ask if the nurses will show you how it works and at least get eyes or maybe even hands on it if the patients will allow you.

[Wrench Party]

My facilities deal with Hearmate II, III and Heartwares. Both places send you to classes. Can you ask to get precepted on these devices? They're fairly straightforward once you understand the pump principles.