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The Development of an Evacuation Protocol for Patients with Ventricular Assist Devices During a Disaster

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 March 2017

Katherine J Davis ,
Joseph Suyama ,
Jennifer Lingler  and
Michael Beach
Katherine J Davis*
Affiliation:
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaUSA
Joseph Suyama
Affiliation:
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaUSA
Jennifer Lingler
Affiliation:
University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaUSA
Michael Beach
Affiliation:
University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaUSA
*
Correspondence: Katherine Davis, DNP, AGACNP-BC Suite 9D 23 200 Lothrop St Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA 15213 E-mail: KJD523@gmail.com
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Abstract

Introduction

Health care providers are on the forefront of delivering care and allocating resources during a disaster; however, very few are adequately trained to respond in these situations. Furthermore, there is a void in the literature regarding the specific care needs of patients with ventricular assist devices (VADs) in a disaster setting. This project aimed to develop an evidenced-based protocol to aid health care providers during the evacuation of patients with VADs during a disaster.

Methods

This is a qualitative study that used expert review, tabletop discussion, and a survey of health care professionals to develop and evaluate an evacuation protocol. The protocol was revised after each stage of review in order to reach a consensus document.

Results

The project concluded with the finalization of a protocol which addresses evacuation and patient triage, and also includes an algorithm to determine which staff members should be evacuated with patients, transportation resources, evacuation documentation, and items patients need during evacuation. The protocol also addressed steps to be taken in the event that evacuation efforts fail and how to manage outpatient VAD patients seeking assistance.

Conclusions

This protocol provides guidance for the care of VAD patients in the event of a disaster and evacuation. Protocols such as this address difficult scenarios and should be created prior to a disaster to assist staff in making difficult decisions. These documents should be created using multi-disciplinary feedback via the consensus model as well as the Institute of Medicine (IOM; National Academy of Medicine; Washington, DC USA) “Crisis Standards of Care.”

DavisKJ, SuyamaJ, LinglerJ, BeachM. The Development of an Evacuation Protocol for Patients with Ventricular Assist Devices During a Disaster. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(3):333–338.

Keywords

disaster planningpreparednessprotocolventricular assist device
Type
Special Reports
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 32 , Issue 3 , June 2017 , pp. 333 - 338
Copyright
© World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2017 

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Footnotes

Conflicts of interest: This manuscript was not supported by grant funding. The authors have no disclosures of conflicts of interests.

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