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Cardiac Device Questions?
Answers Are Just a Phone Call Away

Have you ever wondered why you need to keep power tools at least 12 inches away from your implanted cardiac device? Or where you can have your device checked while traveling? You may not know it, but a team at Boston Scientific's Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) division is dedicated to answering these types of questions.

The Technical Patient Support team recently expanded to better serve patients and their families. Team members give you information and answer your questions about living with your implantable cardiac device. In this article, we introduce you to the team and describe how it can help you.

What’s New About the Team?

In the past, customer support team members shared all calls. They talked to patients, caregivers, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. The new Technical Patient Support team takes calls only from patients and their families.

“We are excited to offer this service tailored specifically for our patients with technical questions,” says Kari Kilvington, a consultant on the team. “We are passionate about being able to provide information 24/7 to help our patients adjust to living with a device.”

Team consultants are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, every day. Each day they respond to about 100 phone calls. They understand your concerns and respond to your questions quickly and accurately.

Who’s On the Team?

Every person on the team is a highly skilled cardiac healthcare professional. Together, they have 30 years of experience with implantable cardiac devices. Each consultant knows how to translate that knowledge and experience into easy-to-understand answers to your questions. (In fact, the team provides many of the answers that you read in the You Asked, We Answered articles in LifeBeat Online.)

Each consultant is trained in pacemaker, defibrillator, and heart failure device technologies. The team includes exercise physiologists with cardiac rehabilitation experience and nurses who have years of hands-on experience caring for heart patients. One consultant even has a clinical research background.

What Kinds of Questions Can the Team Answer?

The team uses clear, simple language to answer technical questions about cardiac devices. For example, they explain how cardiac devices work and tell you what to expect before, during, and after your cardiac device implant. They can also help you can find useful information on our websites about living with your device. They will even send printed information to your home if you wish.

You may be concerned whether an upcoming medical test, surgery, or procedure could affect your device. Team members have the answers.

Maybe you want to know where you can have your device checked while traveling. Consultants can help you find a clinic at your destination. They may also suggest that you take along a copy of your device settings.

Team members are experts on how devices work. But only your doctor and nurse know about your medical condition and how your device is programmed. When you call, a consultant will be sure to let you know if any of your questions should be directed to your doctor or nurse.

As consultant Marnee Larkin explains, team members see themselves as “supporting physicians and nurses.” The team’s goal is to make sure you get the answers you need, when you need them–from the right source.

How Do I Contact the Team?

If you or a family member has questions about living with an implanted cardiac device, call 1-866-484-3268 to speak with a Technical Patient Support Services team member. Consultants are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They will help you get answers to your questions about cardiac devices, so you can focus on enjoying life.

Learn More

Our Patient Resources provide easy-to-use, comprehensive information about your Boston Scientific cardiac device.

Heart and Blood Vessel Basics

Womens Heart Health

Defibrillator (ICD) Patients — FAQ

Heart Failure Patients — FAQ

Pacemaker Patients — FAQ