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How to Write a Post-Operative Report

Dr. Schaffer has asked you and your colleagues to write a post-operative report for Mr. McGrath. Your report should include information on:

• Immunosuppressant medications
  
  
  • Short-term or Induction phase
  
  
  • Long-term or Maintenance phase
  
  
  • Possible side effects and how to handle them
  
  
• Rejection, specifically:
  
  
  • The definition of rejection
  
  
  • Signs of rejection
  
  
  • Anti-rejection phase of immunosuppressant medication
  
  
• Lifestyle issues (i.e., returning to work, limits on activity, etc.)


• Diet and exercise


• Follow-up medical care and checkups


• Post-transplant treatment for Hepatitis C

The following step-by-step will help you do your work.

1. Review Dr. Schaffer’s email. It may be helpful to print the email and highlight the important points.


2. Create an outline for your report. Using the topics Dr. Schaffer has asked you to consider, create an outline of the important points your patient will need to know. In previous tasks you have been given a template to help you organize your work. In this case you should structure the outline yourself. For additional help on creating an outline refer to the General Skills Resources.
   
   
   1. You may need to do some additional research. Use the links on the Resources page to gather more information on the post-operative issues Dr. Schaffer has asked you to cover in your report.
   
   
   2. For each topic, think about what Mr. McGrath will need to know and do in order to keep his new liver healthy.
   
   
   3. You may also want to include information on things his family can do to help him during his recovery.
   
   
3. Write your report. Using the outline you have created, write your report in Microsoft Word.


4. Review your work. Make sure you have covered each of the points outlined above.


5. Submit your assignment. Review the checklist found on the Submit Your Work section of this task and submit the assignment to your mentor.

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• Remember that the patient's family plays an important role in his/her post-operative recovery. As you work, make sure you think about things Frank's family can do to help him.


• As you make suggestions on things Frank should do during his post-operative recovery, be sure you discuss why each suggestion is important. Be thorough about the effect that your suggetions will have on his ability to recover.

 

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Diagnosis and Treatment Archive (DATA) - Internal Medicine

FAQs

Medication and Follow-Up Care
This document looks at the types of immunosuppressant medications transplant patients take following the surgery. It also reviews thr routine follow-up care transplant patients recieve.

Treating Hepatitis C in Transplant Patients FAQ
This document looks at the implications of Hepatitis C in liver transplant recipients. It discusses treatment options and how doctors know when the treatment is successful.

Post-Operative Resources

The following sites offer a comprehensive overview of the issues a patient faces after an organ transplant. They each contain different material and emphasize different information, so you will likely find it helpful to review them all. Keep in mind that while we have suggested specific sections that may help you with your report, you are welcome to explore the entire site.

Life After Your Transplant
Pay attention to the following sections:

1. Tips for Maintaining your Health


2. Living with Immunosupression


3. Dealing with Side Effects


4. Signs of Rejection


5. Diet and Weight Gain


6. Safe Activities and Exercise


7. Returning to Work

Living with Your Transplant
Pay attention to the following sections:

1. Transplant Basics—excellent information on rejection, handling a rejection episode and anti-rejection (immunosuppressant) medication.


2. Health Maintenance—great information on the recommended diet for transplant patients. It also has information on exercise.


3. Quality of Life—good information about returning to normal activities, like work. It also has helpful information on emotional issues transplant patients often face.


4. Communication—information about issues affecting transplant patients immediately after the transplant, from 6 months to a year and beyond.

After the Transplant
Pay attention to the following sections:

1. Medications


2. Staying Healthy

Ask the Expert

Will the patient still have Hepatitis C after the transplant?

What is rejection?

Is there a drug regimen to prevent rejection?

What type of follow-up will doctors do to monitor post-operative liver function?

What type of follow-up will docotrs do to monitor post-operative general health?

What role do diet and excercise play in the post-operative period?