ABSTRACT
Lung transplantation, heart transplantation, and heart-lung transplantation are life-saving treatment options for patients with lung and/or cardiac failure. Evolution in these therapies over the past several decades has led to better outcomes with application to more patients. The complexity and severity of illness of patients in the pretransplant phase has steadily increased, making posttransplant intensive care unit management more difficult. Despite these factors and the pervasive complications of immunosuppressive therapy, outcomes continue to improve.
Subject(s)
Critical Care Nursing/standards , End Stage Liver Disease/surgery , Heart Diseases/surgery , Heart Transplantation/nursing , Heart-Lung Transplantation/nursing , Lung Transplantation/nursing , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Heart Transplantation/standards , Heart-Lung Transplantation/standards , Humans , Intensive Care Units/standards , Lung Transplantation/standards , Male , Middle AgedSubject(s)
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure/nursing , Heart-Lung Transplantation/nursing , Intensive Care, Neonatal , Nurse-Patient Relations , Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis/nursing , Adult , Child, Preschool , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Long-Term Care , Object Attachment , Patient Transfer , PrognosisABSTRACT
The surgical procedure for patients undergoing lung and heart-lung transplantation, conventional discharge criteria following the surgery, and common transplant-related complications will be reviewed. The impact of transplant on the routine illnesses experienced by people living in the community will also be discussed, including special nursing considerations when caring for patients following lung or heart-lung transplantation. As transplant recipients return to their homes and communities, it is likely that they will first come to their local hospital to care of these illnesses. Knowledgeable care by nurses in that local hospital will promote successful recovery.
Subject(s)
Hospitalization , Lung Transplantation/nursing , Nursing Care/methods , Adult , Heart-Lung Transplantation/nursing , Hospitals, Special , HumansABSTRACT
Cardiothoracic transplant recipients must follow a complex medication regimen after discharge. Patients, particularly heart transplant recipients who have a shorter postoperative length of stay than other organ recipients, have a limited time to master this regimen. The SMAP has shown benefits in patients' mastery of medication information, increased patient satisfaction, better preparation for discharge, and home adjustment. The program offers a structured approach for teaching patients complex medication regimens.
Subject(s)
Heart-Lung Transplantation/nursing , Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage , Self Administration/methods , Drug Monitoring , Female , Humans , Male , Nursing Records , Patient Participation , Pilot Projects , Program Evaluation , Self Administration/nursingABSTRACT
Two strategies for teaching lung and heart-lung transplant subjects to use an electronic spirometer/diary instrument at home to input and transmit daily respiratory, vital sign, and symptom measurements were compared. The first strategy integrated teaching into subjects' postoperative clinic visits, whereas the second strategy involved referral to a Patient Learning Center (PLC) for instruction. Adherence was increased by 30% when the teaching was transferred from the clinic setting to the PLC. These findings suggest that the PLC is an effective resource for preparing patients to manage their care after discharge from a hospital or clinic.