HEALTH E-NEWS | April 05, 2018

Specialty Hospital Helps Post-Transplant Patients Through Complicated Recovery

After a difficult transplant surgery, patients need specialized medical care to ensure a full recovery. At RML Specialty Hospital, patients benefit from an entire post-transplant team that offers attention to detail and continuity of care.

“We admit a variety of post-transplant patients, including those with heart, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas, and bone marrow/stem cell transplants,” said Nicole Jones, Clinical Pharmacist for RML Specialty Hospital for 14 years. “Our patients require frequent monitoring of their immunosuppressive medications to ensure they maintain appropriate drug levels to prevent rejection and to limit side effects. We review their medication profiles to watch for drug-to-drug interactions, which is critical since they average about 20 medications each. We also communicate with the post-transplant team to discuss medication levels and medication changes, and to give clinical updates.”

Alison Fudacz, Clinical Pharmacist with RML for 15 years, works closely with Jones to ensure continuity of care for transplant patients. “We act as the bridge between RML and the transplant team,” she explained. “We’ve built relationships with many area hospital transplant teams, and can communicate drug issues before the patient arrives at RML, during their stay with us, and after they leave for home.”

Both agree that one of the best things about working at RML is the relationships they’ve built with the physician and nursing staffs. “We all work as a team to provide the best patient care possible,” said Jones. “If I had a loved one that needed this level of care, I wouldn’t hesitate to bring them to RML.”

Jones and Fudacz often talk with post-transplant coordinators and physicians to give updates and to discuss medication management. “I don’t know of any other LTACH that has dedicated Clinical Pharmacists that bridge the gap between it and the acute care hospital the way RML does,” added Fudacz. “We’re dedicated to ensuring these post-transplant patients achieve the best possible outcomes.”

Link to original article can be found here.