Return to Main Menu

March is Social Work Month Transplant social workers part of team effort by Tracy Mau, LISW Transplant Center Social Worker The Transplant Center employs three abdominal organ transplant social workers; Marlo Anderson, licensed master social worker, Tania DeMaggio, licensed master social worker, and myself.   Organ transplant social workers from left are Marlo Anderson, Tracy Mau, and Tania DeMaggio.  Anderson and DeMaggio provide care for all outpatient kidney and/or pancreas transplant patients and I follow all liver transplant patients, both in and outpatient. As a member of the Liver Transplant team, I'm a part of the fast paced, ever changing and fascinating process of liver transplantation. Each day, I arrive at work wondering what challenges will occur that day.    One of my first daily tasks is to check the on-call report to determine if any of our patients were admitted overnight, or  if a liver transplant occurred or if one is planned.   Next, I meet with the Liver Transplant Selection Committee (LTSC) where the liver team reviews cases. The team is comprised of transplant surgeons, hepatologists, transplant coordinators, an addictionologist, financial coordinator and myself, as the team’s social worker. During the LTSC meeting, the team reviews each case closely to determine a patient’s liver transplant candidacy. Toward the end of the meeting, I present a case for possible case closure.   Mike Harriel* is a 50-year-old male, diagnosed with hepatitis C and has an extensive history of substance abuse. He refused to successfully complete the substance abuse treatment recommendations prescribed by the team’s addictionologist four months ago. Therefore, the LTSC decided to close this patient’s case due to his refusal to comply. The committee will notify him in writing of their decision.   Later, I make a stop in the STICU to meet with Jason Smith* who recently received a liver transplant. The patient’s family members/caregivers are present at his bedside. He is both awake and alert. Smith’s wife and mother are both thrilled that the surgery is completed and amazed at how he is doing in his liver transplant recovery. I also confirm that the family obtained local lodgings and answer their questions concerning the transplant recovery process.   Next, I make my way to 6 East (the liver/kidney transplant floor). Ken Robert* was readmitted due to a rejection episode, which results in him receiving treatment for the rejection via IV medication.   Robert openly discusses his fear regarding his body’s rejection and growing concern that his new liver may not respond to his current treatment. This interaction offers us an opportunity to validate his current feelings and offers an opportunity to educate the patient about rejection. I return to the office to make phone calls and prepare for an upcoming psychosocial evaluation appointment, usually part of an outpatient’s pre-transplant evaluation. A psychosocial evaluation is required for all patients considered for a liver transplant. I meet with the patient and their spouse to complete the evaluation.   Next, I educate the patient and family member/caregiver about the transplant process, the caregiver’s role, and the possibility of remaining in the Charleston area between a one-to-three month time period following transplant surgery. I also discuss any social concerns (i.e. caregiver role and length of stay), while emphasizing the need to have specific caregiving plans in place in order to foster a successful transplant experience. * names have been changed. Editor's note: To honor MUSC social worker accomplishments and bring to light the issues faced by social workers every day, MUSC is celebrating National Social Work Month with a series of articles during March. Each week this month, The Catalyst will spotlight an MUSC social worker with “A Day in the Life of ……,” giving readers a glimpse into a typical medical social worker’s day.     Friday, March 31, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island papers at 849-1778, ext. 201.