What is a Defibrillator? Cardiologist’s Guide for Patients and Care Providers can be used as a Shared Decision Making (SDM) tool as mandated by Medicare’s recent Decision Memo for Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/nca-decision-memo.aspx?NCAId=288). The Medicare memo states the “a SDM encounter prior to initial ICD implantation is a critical step in empowering patient choice in their treatment plan. While ICDs have remained a common treatment option for many years, the strength of evidence for an ICD benefit is different for different patient populations.” This SDM encounter mandates an evidence-based decision tool that discusses more than just the risk and benefits of defibrillator implantation. What is a Defibrillator? is a 216-page, evidence-based SDM tool that addresses all aspects of how defibrillators work and the conditions they treat. We discuss how doctors determine whether patients are good candidates for defibrillators and provides an overview of the implantation process. Potential complications both before and after defibrillator implantation are discussed, as is surgical recovery and follow-up treatment. There are extensive discussions on the long-term care and follow-up required including the psychosocial aspects of defibrillator implantation. Particular emphasis is placed upon possible device advisories as well as end-of-life issues including possible deactivation of defibrillators. For readers having difficulty with medical terminology, there is a helpful glossary at the back of the book. Patients, caregivers, and family members involved in the Shared Decision Making process will benefit from the straightforward explanations. If you’re patients are candidates for defibrillator implantation, this book meets the requirements of the SDM decision tool and helps your patients approach surgery with a full understanding of the procedure and what it means to their quality of life. Please message me if your practice or facility is interested in bulk discount pricing as well as customized editions that feature your logo on the cover as well as an introduction from your Heart Rhythm Center director or CEO of health system.