During Transplant

Admission for Pancreas Transplant, Procedure
Admission

When a pancreas becomes available for you, you will be notified by the pretransplant coordinator and admitted to the transplant unit, ninth floor of Rhodes Hall.

Ideally, surgery is performed as soon as the organ is available. However, using the latest perfusion techniques, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is able to transplant a pancreas within an average of 12 hours of recovery.

At the time of admission you will have multiple lab tests done to ensure you are ready for transplant. You also will be seen by the social worker and the nursing staff to complete your initial transplant teaching.

Medication for Transplant Procedure

Prior to the transplant procedure, you will be given a number of medications including antibiotics, antifungals and immunosuppression medications. The surgery will generally last from four to six hours or longer. Following your admission, your referring physician and insurance company are notified of your transplant.

Inpatient Stay

After your surgery, you will be admitted to the Transplant Unit.

Your hospital stay is typically five to 14 days, depending on complications and your condition.

During your hospital stay, the transplant surgeons and Patient Care Resource Managers (PCRMs) make daily rounds and review posted lab results. You’ll receive individualized education from floor nurses and attend two education classes on medication and general discharge instructions. The PCRMs coordinate your care process, communicate with insurance case managers and plan for discharge. A social worker will visit you to address any psychosocial issues associated with the transplant. A posttransplant coordinator also will call shortly after discharge to answer any remaining questions and to discuss long-term follow-up with the transplant program.