Effect of Ventricular Assist Device Self-care Simulation-Based Mastery Learning on Driveline Exit Site Infections: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular assist device simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) results in better patient and caregiver self-care skills compared with usual training. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of SBML on driveline exit site infections. METHODS: We compared the probability of remaining infection free at 3 and 12 months between patients randomized to SBML or usual training. RESULTS: The SBML-training group had no infections at 3 months and 2 infections at 12 months, yielding a Kaplan-Meier estimate of the probability of remaining infection free of 0.857 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.692-1.00) at 12 months. The usual-training group had 6 infections at 3 months with no additional infections by 12 months. Kaplan-Meier estimates of remaining infection free at 3 and 12 months were 0.878 (95% CI, 0.758-1.00) and 0.748 (95% CI, 0.591-0.946), respectively. Time-to-infection distributions for SBML versus usual training showed a difference in 12-month infection rates of 0.109 (P = .07). CONCLUSIONS: Ventricular assist device self-care SBML resulted in fewer 12-month infections.

Perceptions of Bereaved Caregivers and Clinicians About End-of-Life Care for Patients With Destination Therapy Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

Background Patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) implanted as destination therapy may receive suboptimal preparation for and care at the end of life, but there is limited understanding of the reasons for these shortcomings. Exploring perceptions of individuals (caregivers and clinicians) who are closely involved in the end-of-life experience with patients with destination therapy LVADs can help identify key opportunities for improving care. Methods and Results We conducted semistructured qualitative interviews with 7 bereaved caregivers of patients with destination therapy LVADs and 10 interdisciplinary LVAD clinicians. Interviews explored perceptions of preparing for end of life, communicating about end of life, and providing and receiving end-of-life care, and were analyzed using a 2-step team-based inductive approach to coding and analysis. Six themes pertaining to end-of-life experiences were derived: (1) timing end-of-life discussions in the setting of unpredictable illness trajectories, (2) prioritizing end-of-life preparation and decision-making, (3) communicating uncertainty while providing support and hope, (4) lack of consensus on responsibility for end-of-life discussions, (5) perception of the LVAD team as invincible, and (6) divergent perceptions of LVAD withdrawal. Conclusions This study revealed 6 unique aspects of end-of-life care for patients with destination therapy LVADs as reported by clinicians and caregivers. Themes coalesced around communication, team-based care, and challenges unique to patients with LVADs at end of life. Programmatic changes may address some aspects, including training clinicians in LVAD-specific communication skills. Other aspects, such as standardizing the role of the palliative care team and developing practical interventions that enable timely advance care planning during LVAD care, will require multifaceted interventions.

Simulation-Based Mastery Learning Improves Patient and Caregiver Ventricular Assist Device Self-Care Skills: A Randomized Pilot Trial.

BACKGROUND: No recognized standards exist for teaching patients and their caregivers ventricular assist device (VAD) self-care skills. We compared the effectiveness of a VAD simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) self-care training curriculum with usual VAD self-care training. METHODS AND RESULTS: VAD patients and their caregivers were randomized to SBML or usual training during their implant hospitalization. The SBML group completed a pretest on 3 VAD self-care skills (controller, power source, and dressing change), then viewed videos and participated in deliberate practice on a simulator. SBML participants took a posttest and were required to meet or exceed a minimum passing standard for each of the skills. The usual training group completed the existing institutional VAD self-care teaching protocol. Before hospital discharge, the SBML and usual training groups took the same 3 VAD self-care skills tests. We compared demographic and clinical information, self-confidence, total participant training time, and skills performance between groups. Forty participants completed the study in each group. There were no differences in demographic and clinical information, self-confidence, or training time between groups. More participants in the SBML group met the minimum passing standard compared with the usual training group for controller (37/40 [93%] versus 25/40 [63%]; P=0.001), power source (36/40 [90%] versus 9/40 [23%]; P<0.001), and dressing change skills (19/20 [95%] versus 0/20; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SBML provided superior VAD self-care skills learning outcomes compared with usual training. This study has important implications for patients due to the morbidity and mortality associated with improper VAD self-care. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT03073005.