Implementation Strategy for Highly-Coordinated Cochlear Implant Care With Remote Programming: The Complete Cochlear Implant Care Model

To introduce and discuss implementation strategy for the Complete Cochlear Implant Care (CCIC) model, a highly-coordinated cochlear implant (CI) care delivery model requiring a single on-site visit for preoperative workup, surgery, and postoperative programming.Prospective, nonrandomized, two-arm clinical trial.Tertiary referral CI center.Adults who meet audiologic criteria for cochlear implantation.Cochlear implantation, coordinated care delivery, including remote programming.Care delivery model feasibility and process implementation.Patients determined to be likely CI candidates based on routine audiometry are eligible for enrollment. The CCIC model uses telemedicine and electronic educational materials to prepare patients for same-day on-site consultation with CI surgery, same or next-day activation, and postoperative remote programming for 12 months. Implementation challenges include overcoming inertia related to the implementation of a new clinical workflow, whereas scalability of the CCIC model is limited by current hardware requirements for remote programming technology. A dedicated CCIC process coordinator is critical for overcoming obstacles in implementation and process improvement through feedback and iterative changes. Team and patient-facing materials are included and should be tailored to fit each unique CI program looking to implement CCIC.The CCIC model has the potential to dramatically streamline hearing healthcare delivery. Implementation requires an adaptive approach, as obstacles may vary according to institutional infrastructure and policies.