Ventricular Access Device (VAD) Field Trips

Important information

As you prepare for discharge from the hospital, you will need to take your child on two “field trips.” This will help you become more comfortable being alone with your child on the VAD. Two primary caregivers will need to be signed off on VAD education before going on any field trips. The VAD team will let you know when we are ready to start planning these trips.

Field trip inside the hospital: this first field trip is short (1-2 hours). You will take your child away from the unit but stay inside CHOP. Examples of places you may go are the cafeteria, gift shop or atrium.

Field trip outside the hospital: the second trip is a longer one (4-6 hours). You will take your child out of the hospital, but should remain within 30 minutes of the hospital. This second trip usually occurs 1-2 days before discharge.

Instructions for taking field trips

Bring the following items with you on your child’s field trip:

• Running system controller with 2 attached clips and batteries

• Backup up system controller

• Backup clips (2)

• Back up batteries (2)

• Emergency contact information

• Cell phone: give your phone number to your child’s nurse

If the VAD alarms while you are off the unit, but still in the hospital, please do the following:

• Red Hazard Alarm: 

• Follow the prompts on the controller (connect power, connect driveline, change battery, or call hospital contact).

• Call the VAD phone number to get help. Staff will come to you.

• If your child becomes unresponsive, notify the closest CHOP staff member so they can get help.

• Yellow Hazard Alarm: 

• This is likely related to batteries. 

• Change the batteries as you were taught.

• If a yellow wrench appears you should call the VAD phone number.

If the VAD alarms while you are outside of the hospital, do the following: 

• Red Hazard Alarm: 

• Follow the prompts on the controller (connect power, connect driveline, change battery, or call hospital contact).

• Call the VAD phone number for further instructions.

• If your child becomes unresponsive call 911. Then call the VAD phone number.  

• Yellow Hazard Alarm: 

• This is likely related to batteries. 

• Change the batteries as you were taught.

• If a yellow wrench appears, call the VAD phone number for further instructions.

VAD Phone Number: 267-844-3653.

Reviewed 8/6/24 by Catherine Montgomery, BSN, RN, CPN