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The new guidelines

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May 15, 2008

  • Assign the doctor who implants the device responsibility for follow-up care, unless another specialist takes over the job. This includes coordinating with the patient's primary doctor to keep track of patients as they move.

  • Recommend giving each patient an ID card with details on the device to help resolve safety questions and guide emergency workers.

  • Urge checkups every three to 12 months, at least once a year in person.

  • Limit the role of manufacturer representatives to ensure that doctors and nurses are in charge of care.

  • Urge the government to call device problems safety alerts, instead of recalls, to avoid alarming patients who think a recall requires immediate surgery to remove a defective product.

  • Spell out when to grant requests to turn off heart devices that are artificially keeping terminal patients alive.

    SOURCE: Associated Press

    © Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.

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