520
Detailed Needs and Requirements: Organ Transplant Unit
5210
ORGAN TRANSPLANT UNIT
5210.1
USER NEEDS
The organ transplant unit is a newly developed treatment unit operating
under the administrative responsibility of the hospital surgical service.
5210.1.1
Objectives
As organ transplant nursing unit serves post- and pre- surgical transplant
recipients. Its functions include restoring or maintaining body function
sufficiently for the recipient and the donor, post operative recovery care
and counseling with the recipient and the relatives. Recipient patients
often remain on the unit during their entire stay in the hospital. Donors are
not normally cared for on the unit.
5210.1.2
Operational Relationships
Concepts concerning the facilities and organization of organ transplant
units are still evolving, as are the technical skills necessary to successfully
perform these procedures. Frequent introduction of new techniques,
drugs and equipment can be anticipated. Radical reorganization of the
unit both internally and as it relates to other hospital facilities is
conceivable.
Developing patterns of transplant patient care indicate that individual units
may be established for each organ, i.e., heart, kidney and in the future,
liver, lung and others, where sufficient patient demand exists. Each unit
should be relatively independent with separate equipment, supplies,
diagnostic and treatment facilities and staff.
A transplant unit must provide a suitable environment for the entire range
of patient illness intensity. In this respect the determinants of a
relationship between this unit and other nursing units will be one of
efficient utilization of staff, equipment and facilities. Continuity of care may
be a factor if patients are to be transported to GM & S units. There is a
question as to the value of a close relationship to surgery. Currently
certain units have been constructed contiguous to surgery, but need for
close relationship is infrequent. It is probable that most future transplant
units will be located in close proximity to other intensive and specialty care
units.
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