Journal of transplant coordination : official publication of the North American Transplant Coordinators Organization (NATCO)
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Pressure to reduce overall transplant costs is one of the factors which has led to earlier hospital discharge and increased patient management challenges in outpatient and home care settings. Earlier discharge often contributes to decreased opportunity to provide and ensure comprehension of critical patient and family education, resulting in challenges for home care clinicians who are committed not only to patient and environmental assessments, but to helping assure patient and family understanding of and compliance with critical posttransplant responsibilities and regimens. ⋯ The tool provides patient education information that can be realistically reviewed and reinforced during the home visit. The resource focuses on key self-care issues to promote wellness and graft survival and help prevent adverse outcomes.
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Lung and heart-lung transplantation was first undertaken in Australia in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Although detailed data are available on Australian lung transplantation outcomes, little data are available regarding the utilization of donated lungs. This study examines donated lung utilization rates and considers various factors that may affect these rates. ⋯ Single-lung donors accounted for 32% of lung donors in 1997. Uniform basic donor criteria and management guidelines, simple allocation mechanisms, and cooperative retrieval have evolved during this time. Close collaboration at the time of donation between units, coordinators, and ICUs has allowed early retrieval from well-managed donors.