Interdisciplinary Approach to the Management of Intestinal Transplant Recipients: Evaluation, Discharge, and Lifetime Management

Abstract

Patients suffering from intestinal failure present unique and difficult challenges to the transplant team. Augmenting the need for interdisciplinary teamwork is the higher incidence of death on the intestinal transplant waiting list. Successful management of this population requires an interdisciplinary approach at each stage of care, beginning with evaluation and continuing through discharge and lifetime management. A close relationship between patients, their caregivers, and all members of the transplant team is an essential component to successful lifetime management. Open communication between team members and unlimited accessibility to each other enables work flow to be managed efficiently, and enables the provision of optimal care. In this article, we describe the functions of the nonphysician clinical personnel needed to manage the intestinal transplant patient--beginning at the evaluation through lifetime follow-up care. The goal of each professional is the same: to restore the patient to the best quality of life possible.