When you have a lung transplant at Duke, you are required to have a designated primary caregiver (a family member or friend), who will help you in a number of ways throughout the transplantation process.

It is best if your designated primary caregiver is one individual; however, it is understood that at times this role will need to be shared.

You will also need to have a designated secondary caregiver in place in the event that your primary caregiver is unable to meet all of your support needs. You cannot go through this surgery alone.

Your caregiver will assist you with transportation, medical appointments, home care, and daily activities.

Transportation

You will need someone to transport you to the following locations:

• Duke University Hospital for surgery (unscheduled, any time of the day or week)
• Duke Center for Living for pulmonary rehabilitation pre- and post-transplant as scheduled
• Discharge location (patient’s home or elsewhere) after surgery
• Pre- and post-transplant clinic appointments at Duke

Manage Medical Appointments and Home Care

It is critical that you and your caregivers learn about your care after you leave the hospital following transplantation. We request that your designated primary caregiver:

• Attend all pre-transplant clinic and social work appointments with the patient. A designated secondary caregiver is highly encouraged to attend all pre-transplant clinic appointments as well.
• Participate participate in discharge teaching during your hospital stay
• Be available for patient resource managers, transplant coordinators, and transplant pharmacists to contact and meet with as needed
• Attend all post-transplant appointments until the patient has been cleared to drive by his or her transplant physician.

Help at Home

Your primary caregiver must be prepared to stay at home with you to provide continuing post-transplant care and assistance during your recovery. The following are examples of how this caregiver can help with changes in how you take care of yourself and your home:

• Take care of family members and/or pets that typically rely on your help
• Help patient change bandages and care for surgical wounds
• Help keep track of patient’s health (vital sign records, appetite, weight, mood)
• Purchase, manage, and administer medications
• Organize mail, deposit checks, pay bills, manage accounts
• Manage patient's nutritional needs including inserting the feeding tube, preparing a special diet, and feeding the patient
• Assist patient with toileting, bathing, hair care, and dressing
• Be available to help with any other chores or daily maintenance