Improving Communication in Heart Failure Patient Care.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Although implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) reduce sudden death, these patients die of heart failure (HF) or other diseases. To prevent shocks at the end of life, clinicians should discuss deactivating the defibrillation function. OBJECTIVES:The purpose of this study was to determine if a clinician-centered teaching intervention and automatic reminders increased ICD deactivation discussions and increased device deactivation. METHODS:In this 6-center, single-blinded, cluster-randomized, controlled trial, primary outcomes were proportion of patients: 1) having ICD deactivation discussions; and 2) having the shocking function deactivated. Secondary outcomes included goals of care conversations and advance directive completion. RESULTS:A total of 525 subjects were includ

SUBMITTER: Goldstein NE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7000126 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature