Patients awaiting a lung transplant are often anxious to know what’s next. This is a brief guide to help potential transplant candidates understand what will happen during each step of the journey to a new life.
The Comprehensive Transplant Center’s total commitment to quality is reflected in the programs and continuity of services OSU Medical Center offers our transplant patients including pretransplant evaluation, communication throughout the waiting process, acute medical care during and following surgery, intensive outpatient treatment, posttransplant outpatient visits and ongoing telephone follow-up.
Please see the following links to discover more about your patient journey through the transplant process:
Transplant Patient Services
Financial Counseling: If your doctor has recommended transplant as a treatment option, you need to become familiar with and understand your insurance plan. This step also requires you to prepare yourself financially. The cost of transplantation and follow-up care is substantial. A financial counselor will review your insurance benefits prior to the evaluation and transplant processes. You too will need to contact your insurance company to clarify your insurance coverage. If you have little or no insurance your transplant financial counselor and transplant coordinator are available assist you and your family with questions or concerns.
Patient Education: Throughout the transplant process, a team of healthcare specialists work with you and your family to help you be as knowledgeable as possible about the transplant process, the actual surgery, and follow-up care, including medications. All patients are provided with a comprehensive transplant notebook containing written patient education materials for reference at home. Around-the-clock access to the transplant team is provided to all patients so that questions may be addressed in a timely manner.
Social Services: Licensed Social Workers (LSW), specially trained in transplant, assist you in adjusting to lifestyle changes brought on by your disease and its treatment. They provide information about financial assistance resources, area hotels/other housing options and transportation. They also assist in ensuring continuity of care throughout your transplant process.
Pastoral Care: The staff of the Chaplaincy Department can help address your spiritual questions and concerns sometimes raised by facing a transplant. Chaplaincy staff visit with you and your family to listen, talk, reflect, pray and offer spiritual support in times of need. A sanctuary is also available in Rhodes Hall as a quiet place for prayer or reflection.
Nutrition Counseling: Nutritional needs vary based on a patient's medical history and the type of organ received. A registered dietitian specializing in the care of transplant patients will assist you by individualizing your nutritional care and educating you about your dietary needs.
Back to the Lung Transplant section