HeartWare Ventricular Assist System Patient Manual page 14

HeartWare® Ventricular Assist System Patient Manual
16. WARNING! Keep mobile phones at least 20 inches (50 centimeters) away from the controller, as
mobile phones may interfere with controller operation.
17. WARNING! DO NOT undergo procedures requiring high power electrical treatment (e.g.
application of diathermy) while the pump is implanted.
18. WARNING! AVOID exposure to therapeutic levels of ultrasound energy. Consult your physician
before having lithotripsy procedures to treat kidney stones or any treatments involving high
intensity ultrasound. The implanted device may inadvertently concentrate the ultrasound field
and cause harm.
19. WARNING! AVOID therapeutic ionizing radiation. Consult your physician before having any
nuclear medicine procedures or radiation therapy for cancer. Radiation may damage the device
and may not be immediately detectable.
20. WARNING! Avoid devices and conditions that may induce strong static discharges (e.g.,
television or computer monitor screens) as electrostatic discharges can damage the electrical
parts of the system and cause the LVAD to perform improperly or stop.
21. WARNING! Always have a backup controller handy and, whenever possible, a caregiver nearby
when changing power sources or controllers. Be watchful for unusual changes in power or flow
alarms for a period of time following equipment changes.
22. WARNING! DO NOT shower until your physician tells you it is safe to do so. If you receive
permission to shower, you must use the HeartWare® Shower Bag. If your hearing is impaired
and/or you cannot hear the controller alarms without the use of a hearing aid, make sure your
caregiver will be close by to hear alarms.
23. WARNING! DO NOT plug the controller into an AC wall outlet during showers; it should be
connected to two batteries.
24. WARNING! DO NOT take a bath or swim.
25. WARNING! DO NOT submerge any HeartWare® System component in water.
26. WARNING! DO NOT allow water or other fluids to enter the controller, power (AC/DC) adapters,
batteries, battery charger, or connectors. If this happens, contact your physician, nurse or VAD
coordinator.
27. WARNING! AVOID areas with high magnetic forces such as theft detection devices, airport
security systems or induction cooktops, as these may affect HeartWare® Systems operation.
28. WARNING! Damaged equipment should be reported to your VAD coordinator and inspected.
29. WARNING! DO NOT use any components other than those supplied by HeartWare with the
HeartWare® System, as this may affect HeartWare® System operation.
30. WARNING! DO NOT disconnect the driveline or power sources from the controller while
cleaning it or the pump will stop. If this happens, reconnect the driveline to the controller as
soon as possible to restart the pump.
31. WARNING! NEVER clean the battery charger with the power on, as this may lead to an electrical
shock.
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