Is Centre Effect a Factor Influencing Transplant Outcomes?
Introduction: Renal Nurses at the Royal Brisbane Womens Hospital are not required to manage post-operative renal transplant patients. As healthcare is constantly changing, and nurses in regional area of Queensland are already required to manage post-operative renal transplant patients, it is necessary to broaden current nursing knowledge of this patient group in preparation of the same at RBWHHSD.
Methods: A literature search was performed for articles discussing the nursing management of post-operative renal transplant and centre effect.
Results: No studies relating to nursing management of renal translant patients. Comparative studies dealt with 'Centre Effect' issues including pre-operative and post-operative management contributing to graft survival at one year.
Conclusion: The 'Centre Effect' did play a role in graft survival at one year. Recommendations should include development of an education program to provide knowledge and skill to manage post-operative renal transplant patients.