This Practice Nursing Transplant Assessment Article.pdf

Liver transplantation has a 91% 1-year survival rate, 77% 5-year survival rate, and 59% 10-year survival rate in the UK. Despite being the preferred treatment for end-stage liver diseases, there is a shortage of donor organs. Livers come from brain stem death donors, cardiac death donors, and live donors, but the family refusal rate is 37%. The Organ Donation Taskforce aims to increase organ donation by 50% within 5 years. In 2010-2011, 567 brain stem death livers and 146 cardiac death livers were donated, with 645 liver transplants taking place. Patients with chronic liver disease undergo rigorous assessment, including heart, lung, liver, and kidney function, as well as social and psychological evaluations. Those with alcohol-related liver disease must abstain for at least 6 months and sign an alcohol contract. A multidisciplinary team discusses patient suitability for transplant, and selection criteria include a projected 5-year survival of >50%. Patients on the waiting list must keep healthy, with yearly influenza vaccinations, pneumococcal vaccinations, and nutritional support. Average waiting times vary depending on blood group and Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. Practice nurses play a valuable role in monitoring patients and undertaking blood profiles to review liver function.