Difficulties of Home Healthcare for Patients Wearing an Implantable Ventricular Assist Device and Support Needs for Specialized Facilities by Homecare Nurses

Abstract

Purpose： This study clarifies the difficulties of home healthcare for patients wearing an implantable ventricular assist device (IVAD) and the support needs for specialized facilities by homecare nurses.

Method：This study targeted 43 homecare nurses who worked at 15 homecare nursing agencies who had experiences of introducing the care from heart transplantation facilities for patients wearing an IVAD. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information about difficulties in care and the needs for specialized facilities from 24 homecare nurses obtained the consensus.

Results：20 homecare nurses who experienced nursing for the patients were analyzed. The homecare nurses had no image of the wearer's condition before discharge, and even after discharge, it was difficult to judge the urgency of connecting to a specialized facilities for changes in the condition and life events. Therefore, it was necessary for specialized facilities to continuously share information and develop a consulting environment.

Conclusion：In response to the unknown anxieties and difficulties in homecare nurses, specialized facilities can demonstrate advanced knowledge provision and monitoring functions from an early stage before discharge. It was suggested that this support would enable safe and secure home care.