Effective Communication Leads to Outstanding
Patient Outcomes – For members of the transplant
team, optimal communication with the patient, nephrologist,
dialysis team, and surgeon is an essential part of the
transplant process. Shown with Charles Lascari, M.A., R.N.,
Clinical Manager of Renal Transplant at Saint Barnabas
Medical Center are, from left, Pre-transplant Coordinators
Rachel Dowell-Cherry, R.N., C.C.T.C.; Eleanor Simchera,
R.N., C.N.N., C.C.T.C.; Doreen White-Hatke, R.N., B.S.N.,
C.N.N., and Laura Bogert, R.N., B.S.N., C.P.T.
The coordination of any organ transplant requires optimal
communication between the various members of the patient’s
health care team. The Saint Barnabas Health Care System Renal
and Pancreas Transplant Centers reach out regularly to dialysis
centers and nephrologists, as well as to patients – the
most important members of this multidisciplinary team.
“When a person contacts the Renal and Pancreas Transplant
Center to explore the opportunity for transplantation, they
are assigned to a specific pre-transplant coordinator who
coordinates all aspects of the evaluation process,” says
Charles Lascari, M.A., R.N., Clinical Manager of the Renal
and Pancreas Transplant Center at Saint Barnabas Medical
Center. “They are the patient’s primary contact
with the transplant team before transplantation and act as
a liaison between the dialysis center, the nephrologist and
the transplant center.”
There are more than 115 dialysis centers in New Jersey.
To ensure the most effective communication between the dialysis
units and the Saint Barnabas Health Care System Transplant
Centers, each pre-transplant coordinator is assigned multiple
dialysis units and is in regular contact with the dialysis
staff. Likewise, each coordinator works with a specific group
of nephrologists to communicate patient care issues.
“Coordinators are in contact with the dialysis centers
and referring physicians to assist in planning for diagnostic
testing or obtaining results of all tests that patients undergo
as part of the transplant evaluation process. The transplant
team also alerts the nephrologists and dialysis unit staffs
to other medical problems that might be uncovered during
the evaluation process,” says Mr. Lascari.
Transplant team members make regularly scheduled visits
to dialysis centers as part of a well organized outreach
program that educates staff and patients alike. “These
visits have helped us establish an excellent working relationship
with the dialysis staffs,” states Mr. Lascari. “We
are also proud of our unique educational programs designed
for patients, and advanced clinical programs for nurses,
social workers, and physicians. Both help inform the community
about the need for early referral to a transplant center.
“Effective communication is of utmost importance at
any transplant center,” concludes Mr. Lascari. “As
the patient moves through the complex transplant process,
the pre-transplant, inpatient, post-transplant and research
team members must communicate effectively to ensure outstanding
patient outcomes.”
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