BC Transplant launches new tool for transplant recipients

Organ donation is an incredible gift. Transplant recipients have often been so sick, for so long, that receiving a new organ means getting a second chance at life.

In order to make sure their new organs function properly, transplant recipients are put onto a regime of medication for the rest of their lives. As BC Transplant does more and more transplants each year, there are more people than ever in need of these medications and medication information.

Information overload

The amount of information transplant recipients receive about post-transplant care can be overwhelming. They’ve just gone through major surgery and now need to adapt to their new lifestyle. It’s critical for recipients and those involved in their care to have accurate information and a clear understanding of medication information, because taking medications correctly has a direct impact on health outcomes, including organ rejection.

A team from St. Paul’s Kidney Transplant Clinic recognized the need for patients to have clear and understandable information about transplant medication. So they came up with a solution.

A tech-savvy solution

Their team of clinical pharmacists, a medical illustrator, and website developers participated in a local design challenge for innovative health solutions. They created a website to help transplant patients with clear and simple medication information accessible on a computer/laptop or any smartphone platform.

Last week, the website, Transplant and Medication, came to life as a tool transplant recipients can use from any mobile device to look up medication information and share with those involved in their care.

What type of information is on the site?

• General Medication Info: This section discusses topics such as rejection, vaccinations, cancer risks, and over-the-counter medications.
• Anti-Rejection Medication: This section outlines all the anti-rejection medications covered by BC Transplant, their use, how to take them, and possible side effects.
• Anti-Infection Medication: This section outlines common infections transplant recipients, how they can be treated (drugs and their potential side effects), and tips on how to identify an infection.

We encourage you to share this new website with your patients and their families. The URL is easy to remember: transplant.bc.ca/medications.