People you should know
Know your transplant team
After your transplant, you are not in it alone. You are part of a team that is there to help you recover from your transplant surgery, understand the post-op care, and provide comprehensive supportive care. Knowing the members that make up your transplant team is important for a successful and healthy recovery after your organ transplant.
You’ll need the support of many people to help you through your child’s transplant process.
Transplant coordinator
- Assists and guides you and your family through the transplant process.
- At most centers, is your family’s point-person.
- Helps you meet requirements to add your child to the transplant waiting list.
- Works with UNOS to review organ offers and plan your child’s transplant.
Transplant doctors and nurses
- Manage your child’s care and arrange for tests.
- Clinical nurse specialists can provide you and your child with specific transplant information.
Transplant surgeon
Performs the operation when an organ is available.
Transplant administrator
Works behind the scenes to manage the team.
Transplant financial coordinator
Helps you create a plan to cover costs before, during and after your child’s transplant.
Can advise you on insurance issues, help you find financial aid, and explain copay charges.
A social worker also may perform some of these duties at your center.
Psychologist
Can help a child find ways to cope and reduce stress during the transplant process. May also work with a child on taking medications (particularly during teenage years).
Transplant pharmacist
Works with your doctors and discusses with them your child’s transplant medications. Can help you figure out how to ensure your child takes all required medications.
Pharmacist
Your pharmacist can advise and coordinate your prescriptions after your organ transplant. They can also provide best practices and consult with you on how these medications may affect you.
Registered dietician nutritionist
Cares for the patient before, during, and after transplant. Develops nutrition support regimens (tube feeds and IV nutrition), and vitamin and mineral supplementation. Good nutrition status is vital for a successful transplant.
Child life services staff
Helps children and families cope with chronic illness and time spent in the hospital. Provides age-appropriate support, including medical play therapy, to explain the transplant process and help children deal with their feelings. May help facilitate schooling options for children in the hospital.
Organ procurement organization (OPO) staff
Works with your hospital and the donor hospital during the matching and organ procurement process.
Other staff
May include chaplains or comfort (palliative) caregivers.