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Barb S. Prospective Patient

North Dakota

Wed, 01/26/2022 - 6:24PM

Possibly relocating to Grand Forks North Dakota. I’m not finding any facilities closer than Minneapolis. Anyone live in the ND area? Winnipeg has a hospital, but the locator says only for Heartmate II and I have a III. I also don’t know if Medicare will cover me if I use a Canadian hospital. Thanks for any info!!

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larry z.

Mon, 03/14/2022 - 2:43PM

Try this link. https://www.cardiovascular.abbott/us/en/patients/treatments-therapies/heartmate-lvad-therapy/clinic-locator.html

Sorry to say, It does not show anything for North Dakota.  Personally. I would have to ask what happens if you need emergency services?  Most non-VAD medical facilities cannot help.

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Angela K.

Tue, 03/22/2022 - 5:06PM

I am from ND with an LVAD. I go to U of MN for my appointments. There is a NP in Fargo at Sanford that sees LVAD patients and works with the U of MN staff closely but you are usually only able to see the NP every other visit. 

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Barb S.

Mon, 05/02/2022 - 4:26PM

So I AM moving in July. Could I have the name of your nurse practitioner? My team would like to contact her. Thanks much

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larry z.

Wed, 03/23/2022 - 5:32PM

Barb S.


Sorry, I've been told by my LVAD coordinators that I need to come to them in case of any type of emergency.  They are in Tampa, FL.  It is about a 45 minutes drive from me.  When I lived up in Arkansas, I was told the same thing by my coordinators.

Most hospitals/medical clinics have no idea what a VAD is nor do they have any equipment nor what needs to be done.    I had visited & coordinated with my local AMBULANCE PROVIDER & EMS as to me having an LVAD.  When I had an emergency almost 2 years ago, they knew what to do, contacted my LVAD Coordinators & transported me directly to my hospital in Tampa.

Sorry, I have nothing else to offer other then suggest that you contact you LVAD Coordinators, NP & local ambulance EMS.