Website Transplant Coordinator
Tamara Karosanidze, CNSC MS RD
University of Virginia Health System
Charlottesville, VA
Educating patients pre-transplant for a successful transplant outcome
Medical City Dallas Hospital conducted a pilot study to test the hypothesis that an intensive education program would improve patient compliance and post-transplant outcomes compared to standard care received (printed material given to patients). Oftentimes, patients do not receive adequate education prior to surgery about the life-changing operation they are to undergo. Patients who participated in the intensive, 16-week education program scored better on coping tests, were more physically active and had better knowledge of nutrition than their counterparts who did not participate in the intensive education program.
FDA approves belatacept - A Novel Immunosuppressive for Kidney Transplant Recipients
Nulojix (belatacept), developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., was recently approved by the FDA as a maintenance immunosuppressive medication. Belatacept is a monthly intravenous drug approved for use in kidney transplant recipients who are EBV seropositive before transplantation. Monthly intravenous infusion (that does not require drug monitoring) is an attractiv option for patients who must take immunosuppressive medications daily but belatacept comes with warnings. It is associated with increased risk for Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD) and serious infections including Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML).
Below is a citation where detailed drug information can be found.
Resources for Transplant Professionals
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)', Department of Professional Services has developed and continues to develop a rich collection of educational and resource materials. One of the most incredible resources is the Hume-Kauffman Transplantation Library staffed by a health-sciences librarian, Clara A. Myers, M.L.I.S. who can perform searches and find any transplant-related article published within the last 30 days. The library's collection contains more than 1000 books, 500 videos, 75 journals, and 250 newsletters. Be sure to visit www.unos.org
Experience CNW 2010!
Dear DNS members:
I hope that many of you are able to attend Clinical Nutrition Week 2010 in Las Vegas!
Below are the transplant - related presentations of interest.
- Transplantation: To supplement or not to supplement?
Drs. Jeanette Hasse and Laura Matarese will discuss the role of vitamin and mineral supplementation as well as the use and safety of herbal products in the transplant population.
- Nutrition support in pediatric intestinal transplantation: Latin American and American Perspective
An international group of experts will discuss the management of pediatric intestinal insufficiency and indications for intestinal transplantation.
Books of Interest for the Transplant Community
The Gift that Heals by Reg Green -- Personal stories on organ donation and transplantation process. The book tells a story of the author's 7 -year-old son who was shot and killed while the Green family was vacationing in Italy.
Giving Life by Tom Falsey -- Touching and uplifting personal stories of organ donors and recipients.
The Power of Two: A Twin Triumph over Cystic Fibrosis by Isabel Stenzel Byrnes and Anabel Stenzel -- A "dual autobiography" of twin sisters struggling to breathe.