Inside Impella®: Transport Talks

In this episode, host Shane Turner gets insight into the world of specialized transport with Lisa Owen, a clinical nurse specialist at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Lisa oversees a unique team dedicated to transporting patients with acute cardiogenic shock and advanced heart failure, requiring sophisticated mechanical support. Lisa shares the rigorous training, teamwork, and communic...

Integrating POCUS into transport protocols can revolutionize patient care and outcome in critical care scenarios. Today, host Shane Turner sits down with flight paramedic Isaac Bennett to explore the critical role of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in the management of Impellasupported patients during transport. With 14 years of EMS experience, including 7 years flying with the Hospital Wing prog...

In this second installment of our Data Deep Dive, Shane Turner reconnects with Ken Kasica, who specializes in cardiovascular pharmacology at Abiomed. The two dissect the complex interactions between drug therapies and the Impella heart pumps in critical care. Learn about the impact of vasoconstrictive drugs such as levosimendan and norepinephrine on Impella performance, and studies that highlight...

Teaching best practices for transporting Impella patients is something Zac Bunzey handles every day. As a clinical education manager at Life Flight Network, Zac joins Shane Turner to share how targeted training campaigns, hands-on experience, and tools like the Impella app, combined with Abiomed’s 24/7 support, have markedly boosted crew confidence and proficiency. Plus, you’ll learn about the imp...

Are you equipped to handle cardiogenic shock? In this episode, you’ll gain insights from an expert on the frontlines about the complexities of caring for these critical patients and how you can excel in providing world-class critical care transport. Shane Turner sits down with Dr. Adam Gottula, an emergency physician and critical care intensivist from Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. They...

Today we’re going ‘back to basics’ with Austin Provence, a cardiothoracic nurse who brings a decade of experience in transporting patients with Impella devices and the importance of seamless teamwork. With over a decade of experience, Austin highlights two critical scenarios: stable patients needing higher care and critically ill patients requiring immediate interventions. He underscores the impor...

Cardiogenic shock is a devastating condition with a persistent 50% mortality rate. However, groundbreaking treatments and technologies are now dramatically improving survival odds. Join Shane Turner as he sits down with Jason Weatherly, Cardiogenic Shock Commercial Marketing Manager at Abiomed, to explore these advancements and the life-saving impact of the Impella device. Jason highlights the rec...

Often, we are lucky to collaborate with specialists to ensure we can best support our patients, and in this episode, host Shane Turner is joined by Nancy Jaworski, an advanced practice nurse with extensive experience in adult congenital heart disease, to learn about challenges and innovations shaping heart failure care today. Nancy discusses the unique challenges of diagnosing and managing adult c...

How does continuous learning and practical experience on the front lines make a difference in transport? Today's episode is hosted by critical care transport trainer, Jena Billig, who sits down with Josh Klute, an expert flight and ICU nurse, who credits specialized Impella training with his confidence and success in transport. Josh recounts his initial challenges and lack of confidence during his...

Impella devices can be game-changers for cardiogenic shock, and members of the care team who manage these patients during transport require specific training and skills to optimize patient outcomes. Today, host Shane Turner is joined by Ryan Harmon to take an inside look at the systematic approach one clinician uses to troubleshoot issues and optimize these advanced therapies. Ryan Harmon is a cli...

Collaboration plays a vital role in setting new benchmarks in cardiac transport. Join Shane Turner as he talks with Bill Hallinan, regional clinical manager for Abiomed, about integrating pre-hospital and hospital care to enhance outcomes for patients experiencing cardiogenic shock. With decades of experience in firefighting, nursing and transport, Bill shares his invaluable insights and vision fo...

When it comes to ensuring safe and successful medical transports, our work begins with preparation and logistics. In this episode, host Shane Turner sits down with veteran flight transport provider, Robin Wallace. With over 25 years of experience in the southeast as both a paramedic and a flight nurse, Robin shares her invaluable insights on transporting critically ill cardiac patients. Robin shar...

Are there different training protocols for maintaining expertise in Impella patient management when cases are infrequent? In this episode, Shane Turner is joined by Dustin McKeel, a seasoned Flight Paramedic and Clinical Base Educator from Memphis, to explore how the city's limited critical care options have spurred innovative training solutions. Learn how hands-on cadaver labs, real case studies,...

In the age of data, evidence-based decision-making is essential for improving patient outcomes. Join host Shane Turner and special guest Ken Kasica, Director of Scientific Intelligence for Abiomed J&J MedTech, for a deep dive into the complexities of interpreting clinical trials and medical device development. Shane and Ken emphasize the importance of considering the patient's perspective in a...

Keeping Impella access sites exposed during movement and transport can make a critical difference in patient care, especially during short ground transports. In this episode, former flight nurse D.D. Finder sits down with trainer Jena Billig to recount a challenging case involving a heart failure patient on an Impella device for ECMO treatment. In this episode: Jena Billig, BSN, RN, CCRN, CFRN, Id...

Welcome to Abiomed's Quarterly Update, where education is at the forefront. In this episode, host Shane Turner is joined by Jena Billig, primary trainer for the West region, to dive into the intricacies of the Impella pump's heparin-free purge system. Jena provides a comprehensive understanding while addressing misconceptions. She explains the importance of using a dextrose and water-based purge s...

Beyond logistics, safe transport requires effective communication, thorough planning and a commitment to continual learning. Today, Shane Turner is joined by Billy Thompson, a seasoned flight nurse with extensive experience in managing Impella patients. Plus, Shane and Billy explore key considerations such as assessing patient stability and properly securing the Impella console. Whether you're a s...

What makes us tick? Join Shane Turner and the Abiomed transport team as they share the driving forces behind their dedication to training. From simplifying complex issues to empowering transport crews, Transport Talks is here to help you feel more confident and, ultimately, to buoy patient outcomes. Let Transport Talks be your companion as you focus on what truly matters: patient recovery and savi...

Memorial Hermann Life Flight created an innovative approach to improving patient care and transport efficiency for critically ill patients requiring Impella support. Go behind the scenes to discover how their program's transition to independently transporting patients with Impella devices has led to reduced transport times and enhanced patient outcomes. Plus, gain valuable insights and recommendat...

As members of Abiomed's Critical Care Transport Team, we know that every transport is a lifeline, and every moment counts in our mission to recover hearts and save lives. Inside Impella™ is a podcast where we equip you with knowledge and confidence as you transport Impella patients. Subscribe now for monthly episodes offering best practices, valuable lessons, and camaraderie. Let us be your compan...