8:30 a.m.

Living Kidney Donation: Share Your Spare, Arika Hoffman, MD

There are over 120,000 people listed for organ transplant nationwide. Living donation presents an opportunity to help address the critical need for organ transplants. Dr. Hoffman will discuss the importance of living kidney donation, how living donors are evaluated, and what we understand about short- and long-term donor outcomes.

Learning objectives:

1. Discuss the impact of living kidney donation on the nationwide need for transplantable organs.
2. Identify key components of a living donor evaluation.
3. Describe the expected short- and long-term living organ donor outcomes.

9:15 a.m.

Heart Transplantation and Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs), Timothy Ryan, APRN-NP

Heart transplantation is indicated for those patients with end-stage heart failure for whom other treatments have failed. An LVAD may be used as a bridge to transplantation, but it also is a potential permanent alternative to transplantation. Timothy Ryan will discuss how patients are assessed for heart transplant and explain when heart transplantation is contraindicated. He will discuss patient management while waiting for transplant, including medical management and the option for mechanical circulatory support.

Learning objectives:

1. Describe the heart transplantation selection criteria.
2. List indications and qualifications for consideration of the use of an LVAD.
3. Discuss the difference between “bridge to transplant” vs. “destination therapy” in the use of LVADs.

10:30 a.m.

The Continuum of Organ Donation: A Panel Discussion, Sue Calabro, RN, BSN, CCTC; Leigh Lindner, RN, BSN, CMSRN; Megan Gregory, BSN, RN; Megan Montrie, BS, HDS-C, CPTC; Amber Saltsgaver, RN, BSN; Karen Townsley, BSN, RN; and Amy Schurke, BSN, RN, CCTC

A robust solid organ transplant program requires a multidisciplinary team to create and provide a seamless and efficient transplant process and program. A panel of speakers will share the many aspects of the transplant process, from referral through candidate evaluation, the actual transplant, and in-patient period and post-transplant management and follow-up.

Learning objectives:

1. Describe the multidisciplinary approach in the evaluation process of a transplant candidate.
2. Summarize the role and responsibilities of the various members of a multidisciplinary solid organ transplant program team.
3. Explain the relationship between a transplant program and the organ procurement organization.

11:45 a.m.

Building a Wall: Biases, Barriers, and Ethics in Transplantation, Jacob Dahlke, MSB

The ethics of allocating human organs for transplantation is a specific application of ethical norms to social practices. Ethical principles and regulatory requirements often overlap in the field of transplantation. Clinical Ethicist, Jacob Dahlke, will identify the broad ethical principles seen in health care. He will then highlight the ethical considerations unique to transplantation. He will also discuss some barriers, including implicit bias, which can limit a fair and equitable transplant process.

Learning objectives:

1. List at least three general ethical principles seen health care delivery.
2. Describe the application of ethical principles in the context of solid organ transplantation.
3. Discuss the application of ethical principles when determining resource allocation in solid organ transplantation on an individual vs. population level.

1:30 p.m.

Transformation of Intestinal Failure Management: A Comprehensive Experience for Patients and Families, David Mercer, MD, PhD, FRCS(S)

Intestinal failure is a serious complication of select conditions, and its management will often include extensive bowel resection surgery. A multidisciplinary intestinal management clinic can provide patients and their families with the opportunity for an improved quality of life, improved nutrition, and often an alternative to intestinal transplantation. Dr. Mercer will discuss an intestinal rehabilitation and transplant program. His talk will include medical and surgical interventions that have shown positive outcomes for children and adults with intestinal failure.

Learning objectives:

1. Discuss current cutting-edge techniques, both medical and surgical, in the management of both children and adults with intestinal failure.
2. Describe some of the novel approaches to the comprehensive care of children with intestinal failure and their families.
3. Summarize intestinal failure management approaches that can lead to improved outcomes and lower care-associated costs.

2:45 p.m.

Lung Transplantation: Where We Are Now and What the Future Holds, Aleem Siddique, MD

The short supply of organs continues to be a major limiting factor in all solid organ transplantation. But new technologies and techniques continue to improve outcomes as evidenced by the actuarial survival near 90 percent of lung transplant recipients over the last decade. Dr. Siddique will provide an update on the current state of and share some insights into future directions in lung transplantation.

Learning objectives:

1. Describe the lung transplant process and expected outcomes for lung transplant recipients.
2. List at least two current deficiencies in lung transplantation and the initiatives undertaken and planned to address these deficiencies.
3. Discuss some of the future directions expected in lung transplantation.

3:30p.m.

The Ethics of Transplant: Interactive Case Studies, Jacob Dahlke, MSB

Building on his previous session, Clinical Ethicist, Jacob Dahlke, will guide conference participants in an interactive discussion on the application of ethical principles and challenges in solid organ transplantation. Utilizing case studies, participants will be asked to identify biases that may affect decisions related to the allocation of scarce resources. They will be asked to give their input on how these biases can be identified, addressed and resolved. The session is designed to allow maximum audience participation with ample opportunity to give their opinions and share clinical experiences.

Learning objectives:

1. Identify barriers to the development of a just and efficient transplant program.
2. List three principles of primary importance in the allocation of human organs in an “equitable allocation system.”