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As part of its Healthy Aging & Independent Living (HAIL) initiative, Mayo Clinic Center for Innovation (CFI) examined the patient experience regarding the decision to receive a ventricular assistive device (VAD) implant, and patients’ quality of life after the surgery. As health care technology continues to develop, more people will be living longer, fuller lives with the assistance of wearable/implantable medical devices such as the VAD. This case study examined and made recommendations on ways for the Mayo Clinic VAD Committee to improve the program.

TO VAD OR NOT TO VAD: That is the question.

Improving the experience of receiving a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD)

Proceedings of the International Symposium of Human Factors and Ergonomics in Healthcare.  Vol. 3 No. 1 pg. 238-245, June, 2014 

Decades of practicing medicine have created a system that teaches physicians and members of the care team best practices to replicate standardised behaviours, the very antithesis of change. In health care, the antibodies to change are embedded in the culture and the training of the employees who provide care.  Setting the stage, and creating the buy-in among leaders and employees to question – even simply suggesting that there are service changes to be made – has become an art in itself. 

 

Gluttony: How Products and Consumerism Overindulge our Cravings

IDSA.NYC The Seven Deadly Sins Series, Number three, 2004
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