Home care management of intestinal transplant recipients

Abstract

During the past 14 years, significant advances have been made in the field of intestinal transplantation. Patients' survival rates have increased, influencing referral patterns, and there has been a growing trend toward shortened hospitalizations with earlier discharge. Home care has also evolved during this same period, with development of the resources, training, and processes required for in-home management of patients with multiple complex needs. Together these trends have led to the ability to provide care and services to higher acuity patients in the outpatient and home setting after intestinal transplantation. In this article, we review the infusion management of intestinal transplant recipients before and after they go home and the rationale for the need for specialized home care services.