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Detailed Needs and Requirements: Organ Transplant Unit
A patient entering the unit may be gravely ill and require a
considerable period of intensive treatment prior to transplant surgery.
Usually immunosuppressive drugs are started 7 to 10 days prior to
surgery. During this period the patient is more susceptible to infection
and may require protective isolation. Body fluids and other body
functions will be measured frequently. Hemodialysis is often required
for kidney transplant patients. Computers and other instrumentation
will be increasingly used in care of such patients.
After surgery the patient will, in most cases, bypass the recovery room
and be transported directly to the nursing unit. The patient room
should be relatively pathogen free and isolated from all non-essential
traffic. Protective isolation using techniques similar to those in surgery
may be required for the first 48 to 72 hours. The surgeon may require
the use of laminar air flow room for certain patients. If isolation is
desired food and supplies may be wrapped and delivered in sterile
utensils.
Intensive nursing is required for the first 48 to 72 hours. Unless
complications develop, patients may be transferred to a multi-bed unit
after this period. Within three days the patient may begin to walk;
however, physiological functions continue to be carefully measured.
Dialysis of renal patients may also be continued.
The risk of post-operative infection is high. Patients may develop
convulsions, septic shock, psychosis, diabetes, myocardial infarction,
pneumonia or other conditions, which require long periods of
hospitalization.
The average length of hospital stay may be 30 days. During the later
stages of hospitalization, the patient may be ambulant and on occasion
leave the hospital for short periods of time.
2. Physicians
Surgeons normally assume responsibility for patient care on an organ
transplant unit; however, a diverse number of medical specialties are
involved in sustaining a patient both pre-and post-operatively.
Consulting physicians require access to the patient, patient chart,
nursing personnel and other physicians. Group discussions involving
students, residents and other technical persons are common.
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