SECURING LIFE THROUGH TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE - THE FIRST 6 MONTHS AFTER TRANSVENOUS INTERNAL CARDIOVERTER-DEFIBRILLATOR IMPLANTATION

PURPOSE: To understand the experience of living with a transvenous int ernal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) during the first 6 months after implantation. DESIGN: A grounded theory approach was used to gain an understanding of the antecedents, conditions, and consequences of the core process. SETTING: Two midwestern community medical centers and pa tients' homes within a 250-mile radius from the medical centers. SAMPL E: Ten women and 14 men between 22 and 78 years of age, who had underg one a new transvenous ICD implantation within the last week. RESULTS: The core process that described the experience of living with a transv enous ICD during the first 6 months after implantation was the process of ''securing life through technology acceptance.'' This core process was characterized by three major categories: choosing life with techn ology, integrating technology into life, and living life through techn ology. IMPLICATIONS: Nursing interventions related to individualized a ssessment, education, and counseling are warranted to facilitate patie nt and family understanding and to plan for the cyclic process involve d in integrating a transvenous ICD into their lives. Directions for fu rther research are provided.