Center describes protocols for successful kidney transplantation during pandemic
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In a virtual presentation, two members of the advanced practice provider team at Medstar Georgetown Transplant Institute in Washington, D.C., described their center’s experience with kidney transplantation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, for many people, there was a delay in receiving a life-enhancing transplant in the setting of organ failure,” Anna Frank, PA-C, said at the American Society of Transplant Surgeons Winter Symposium. “We recognized the importance of finding safe ways to continue transplant procedures for patients on our waiting list.”
With this in mind, the center implemented a variety of protocols between March and May of 2020. These included the following:
- priority testing for potential recipients prior to transplantation;
- deployment of nurses to patient homes for COVID-19 testing;
- maintenance of COVID-free units; and
- utilization of telehealth.
According to Frank, these steps allowed the center to effectively reduce the risk of exposure to the virus.
Modifications were also made to standard protocols for induction immunosuppression.
“We attribute our success and resilience to collaboration with multiple multidisciplinary teams, including infectious disease specialists,” she said.
Shahzia A. Lakhani, MSN, ACNP-BC, provided specifics on outcomes noting Medstar was the highest volume center in the region during this time period, as well as one of the highest volume centers in the United States.
“Despite the modification of our induction immunosuppression protocol, only three of our 90 recipients experienced acute rejection,” she explained. “Furthermore, all 90 recipients have remained COVID-free to date.”
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Frank A and Lakhani SA. Poster 100. Presented at: ASTS Winter Symposium. Jan. 14-16, 2021 (virtual meeting).
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