Reduce Your Risks of Infection
Once you leave the hospital:
- Avoid large crowds of people; time your outings to times when stores, restaurants, etc. are less crowded.
- Wear your mask whenever you enter the hospital for a follow-up visit.
- Avoid people with any kind of infection.
- Keep any cut, scratch, or open area in the skin clean and dry. Inspect these areas regularly for signs of infection.
- Avoid flu shots or other immunizations for the first year after transplant.
- See your dentist regularly to help keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Every Day:
- Check your radial pulse and record the rate on a sheet.
- Weigh yourself every day and record the amount on a sheet. An increase of 2 or more pounds in 24 hours would be considered abnormal.
Possible Complications After Heart Transplant
Possible Complications
Infection is a potential complication for every transplant patient. The immunosuppressive drugs that you take to prevent rejection suppress your immune system-- which is your natural defense against any foreign substance introduced into the body. Reducing the immune system's response decreases the possibility of rejecting the transplanted organ. However, this action also reduces the body's ability to fight off infection.
You have a greater risk of infection when the dose of immunosuppressive (antirejection) drugs is higher-- such as during the first few weeks after your transplant operation. Although infection can be a serious problem, there are things we do to minimize your risk while you're at Vanderbilt:
- All visitors and health personnel entering your hospital room will be screened for symptoms of an infectious illness;
- All visitors and health personnel entering your hospital room will wash hands and apply masks and other protecting clothing;
- The door to your room will remain closed;
- When you leave your hospital room for tests or a walk, you will wear a mask and possibly other protective clothing;
- A chest x-ray will be done daily during your hospitalization and once a week for a few weeks after discharge. This is done because the lung is a common site for infection in heart and heart-lung transplant patients.
- Your chest incision will be inspected regularly for proper healing.
If you notice any new blisters, sores, bumps, cuts or reddened areas on your skin, please notify your nurse or physician so they can treat you promptly.
What about once I leave the hospital?