Abiomed Inc. (NSDQ:ABMD) started a new education program for hospitals.
The Danvers, Mass.-based company is selecting healthcare institutions to be training centers for its Impella cardiac assist devices. Abiomed wants hospitals to adopt protocols that include the early administration of its heart pumps for patients with distressed hearts. Abiomed said use of its devices reduces re-admissions and improves heart muscle recovery.
The first healthcare provider to sign up is Harrisburg, Pa.-based PinnacleHealth, according to the company.
"This collaborative program will educate healthcare institutions across the U.S. on the value of treating patients with emergent hemodynamic support to allow earlier intervention that achieves the outcome of heart muscle recovery for their cardiac care programs," CEO Michael Minogue said in prepared remarks.
In July, Abiomed CTO Dr. Thorsten Siess told MassDevice that the device’s sophistication warrants the focused proselytizing.
"It’s not about giving it to everyone, but making sure that the people who get it have appropriate training. Only then will we be able to sustain good outcomes," Siess said.
