Residency Curriculum Modules: Transplant Rehabilitation with Sarah Eickmeyer, MD-Residency Curriculum Project

Residency Curriculum Project – Transplant Rehab Discussion Guide

Pdf Summary

The document introduces a Residency Curriculum Project focused on transplant rehabilitation, highlighting various educational tools such as videos and discussion questions to prepare healthcare professionals for admitting patients with solid organ transplants to an inpatient rehabilitation unit. The project includes three short videos covering medical, rehabilitation, and emergency considerations for transplant patients.<br /><br />Guided by discussion questions, healthcare teams are urged to address key areas needed for effective care delivery. These include specialized training for different teams (nursing, therapy, PM&R, overnight medical) that emphasizes understanding transplant effects on activity levels and therapy tolerance. They must also be prepared to recognize and handle potential emergencies like acute rejection and infection.<br /><br />The document offers a case study involving a 55-year-old patient post-orthotopic heart transplant, providing a detailed framework for setting rehabilitation goals, expected length of stay, and monitoring for complications like acute rejection and infection. Patients and caregivers should receive comprehensive education on managing immunosuppressive medications, with support from transplant coordinators, physicians, and pharmacists.<br /><br />The case study discusses using drugs like prednisone, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate for immunosuppression. Additionally, it addresses the physiological changes post-heart transplant, such as a higher resting heart rate and altered blood pressure responses, due to the denervated heart relying more on circulating catecholamines.<br /><br />Overall, the document underscores a team-based approach to care, highlighting the necessity of gradual ramp-up in activity during rehabilitation and employing tools like the Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion for exercise monitoring. This structured curriculum aims to ensure that healthcare teams are well-prepared to manage the unique needs of transplant patients throughout their rehabilitation journey.

Keywords

transplant rehabilitation

Residency Curriculum Project

solid organ transplants

inpatient rehabilitation

immunosuppressive medications

acute rejection

heart transplant

team-based care

Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion

transplant education