During the evaluation, all patients and their families are also interviewed by a transplant coordinator and a hospital financial representative. Waiting Period Once accepted for transplantation, patients are placed on the donor organ waiting list. During the waiting period, the transplant coordinators maintain contact with the patient, family members, and local physicians. When a suitable organ is obtained, the coordinators contact the patient and discuss travel and arrange admission. The development of the UW preservation solution has allowed extended preservation time up to 24 hours, making admission to the hospital and the surgical procedure less urgent.
Most pancreas transplants take place in the morning following organ procurement.
Hospitalization Patients undergo a pretransplant evaluation upon admission. After surgery, patients receive specialized posttransplant care by the medical and nursing staff on the transplant unit. Immunosuppression and antibiotic prophylaxis is administered according to well-established protocols. A primary nurse assigned to each patient enhances continuity of medical care and psychosocial support, provides additional patient teaching, and coordinates discharge planning. Discharge planning includes daily group education classes and individual instruction, as well as input from social workers and transplant coordinators.