Innovations in Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) patient care amid the COVID-19 pandemic: a case study from a single centre experience.

Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had been declared a global pandemic, affecting millions and impacting St Vincent's Hospital Sydney as of March 2021. The outbreak caused significant disruption to the healthcare system and management of Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) patients. In response, the Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Team developed innovative care and management strategies. Aim We aimed to minimize the risk of VAD patients acquiring COVID-19 as inpatients and outpatients. We also sought to maintain optimal, patient-centred care through self-management monitoring systems and Telehealth, while ensuring ease of use for VAD recipients and caregivers. Method During March 2021 to March 2022 as MCS/VAD Coordinators ensured inpatients and their careers were educated via one-on-one training sessions on the use of monitoring equipment. Then they were transitioned to the use of a Personal VAD Folder for daily observations recording, for ongoing clinician monitoring. Conclusion Despite challenges, no VAD patients in our hospital contracted COVID-19 during March 2021 to March 2022. Self-monitoring systems, enhanced patient education and Telehealth appointments helped our patients avoid critical illness due during the initial pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]