title: Assessment of Risks Posed to VAD Patients During Disasters.
abstract: Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are an Advanced Life Support for patients with heart failure. These patients are particularly vulnerable in the event of a disaster. A hazard vulnerability analysis (HVA) was conducted to determine areas of susceptibility for these patients. Lack of electrical power, limited access to medications and anticoagulation, dehydration, extreme temperature and weather environments, conditions which predispose to infection, and evacuation transport are all identified circumstances that place these patients at an increased risk for harm and death. Future preparations in disaster planning are needed to address and mitigate these risks. Davis KJ , O'Shea G , Beach M . Assessment of risks posed to VAD patients during disasters. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(4):457-461.
authors.affiliation: 1University of Pittsburgh,School of Nursing,Pittsburgh,PennsylvaniaUSA.
authors.forename: Katherine J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: 2Allegheny Health Network,Pittsburgh,PennsylvaniaUSA.
authors.forename: Genevieve
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: O'Shea
authors.affiliation: 1University of Pittsburgh,School of Nursing,Pittsburgh,PennsylvaniaUSA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beach
mesh_terms: D004189:Disaster Planning; D004190:Disasters; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D012306:Risk
keywords:  DDC Dual Drive Console;  HVA hazard vulnerability analysis;  LVAD Left Ventricular Assist Device;  PVAD Paracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device;  VAD ventricular assist device;  preparedness; disaster planning; hazard vulnerability analysis; mitigation; ventricular assist device