Paving a Road Home: Developing Education for a Pediatric Home-Going VAD Program.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric cardiology
• Medical device technology
• Patient education

Background:

• Pediatric ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation requires specialized home care.
• Lack of standardized discharge education poses challenges for families and community providers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multidisciplinary education plan for pediatric VAD patients and their caregivers.
• To prepare local emergency services and medical transport teams for VAD patient needs.

Main Methods:

• Created a tailored educational program including lectures and hands-on training.
• Established a 24/7 direct line for VAD-related consultations.
• Implemented rigorous patient and caregiver competency assessments (power exchanges, dressing changes, simulations).

Main Results:

• The education plan covered essential VAD management skills and emergency preparedness.
• Competency assessments ensured patient and caregiver readiness for home discharge.
• A collaborative approach involving the VAD team, family, and community was central to the plan.

Conclusions:

• A robust, multidisciplinary education plan facilitates safe home discharge for pediatric VAD patients.
• Effective training and community partnerships are crucial, even in low-volume centers.
• This approach enhances patient safety and supports long-term VAD management at home.