Action (Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network)

ACTION is the Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network. We're 1,000+ patients, families, doctors, nurses, researchers, and industry working together to improve outcomes for children and ACHD patients with heart dysfunction. Four years ago, ACTION started as 5 centers with a mission to decrease the risk of stroke in pediatric ventricular assist device (VAD) patients. We've quickly grown to nearly every children’s hospital in the U.S. that performs pediatric VAD surgeries. Together, we comprise the largest nationwide effort to improve outcomes for pediatric heart failure and VAD patients. Our goal? Improve access to world-class VAD and heart failure care—despite geographic location. How do we do it? Real-world data and collaboration are key. We unite providers and families, share data and outcomes transparently, improve education, and standardize best practices in an effort to drive improvement in areas that are often untouched by clinical trials alone. The challenge? Pediatric heart failure is poorly understood and the evidence to guide management and therapies is quite limited. It's difficult to do traditional research because our numbers are smaller. Our learning network approach allows us to make critical improvements faster. As of January 2021, ACTION includes 50 pediatric hospitals in North America, as well as engagement from hospitals in 6 countries. This work wouldn't be possible without our 1,000+ members, 50+ participating centers, and 5 industry partners!