Developing a kit and video to standardize changes of left ventricular assist device dressings

Context-Driveline infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Our center developed 2 LVAD dressing change kits and instructional videos for the purpose of standardizing a protocol for the dressing changes. Objective-To develop 2 different types of driveline dressing kits and videos to help in standardizing the education of our patients, caregivers, and staff. Design-A survey to evaluate patient, caregiver, and staff satisfaction and ease of use relating to the newly implemented dressing kits and videos. A comparison of driveline infection rates before and after the quality improvement project also was conducted. Patients/Participants, Settings-LVAD patients, their caregivers, and staff from Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Results-Surveys were sent to 80 patient/caregiver pairs and 330 staff members. A total of 5 patients, 10 caregivers, and 48 staff members completed the surveys. All participants agreed that patients' driveline sites looked about the same, if not better than, they did before the kits were made available. They also overwhelmingly agreed that the kits were convenient (98%) and easy to use (99%). Patients and their caregivers gave favorable responses to the videos. The project experienced a slight increase in driveline infection rates, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion-Standardizing and producing a driveline kit facilitates the delivery of care in an LVAD program.