We want to help you and your family deal with concerns that may arise before or after your small bowel transplant.

Your social worker, transplant coordinator, and physician can give you information on resources for your particular needs.

This page gives you a list of resources that may be useful as you consider or prepare for small bowel transplantation.

Duke Resources

Duke University Health System: Discover treatment options offered by Duke. Find a physician, get directions to a location, explore patient care services, make an appointment, and more.

HealthView: Use this convenient and secure Web site to connect with your health care at Duke Medicine. Make appointments, view lab results, pay your bills, and more.

Organ Donation

United Network for Organ Sharing: Facilitates all the different aspects of organ donations in the U.S. UNOS ensures that organs are gathered and distributed in a fair and timely manner.

Carolina Donor Services: Provides education and services about organ and tissue donation in North Carolina. This organization coordinates the organ and tissue transplants between patients, hospitals, and clinics.

Oley Foundation: This foundation helps patients who need total parenteral nutrition (TPN) by providing resources and education about living happy, full lives in spite of disability.

National Foundation for Transplants: This foundation assists organ transplant recipients raise funds to pay for their procedures.

Related Information and Support Services

American Lung Association: This organization works to save lives, improve lung health, and fight lung disease. They provide information, smoking cessation help, and local support groups.

National Clearing House for Alcohol and Drug Information: Get useful publications and information on alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Contact this organization at 1-800-729-6686.

North Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS): People with Medicaid or with low income and few assets may apply in the county in which they reside for assistance with medical expenses. DSS also manages food stamps, aid to families with dependent children, fuel assistance, and other emergency funds. Search this site for office information in your county.

Social Security Administration: Get assistance with applications for retirement, survivorship, disability, supplemental security income, and Medicare benefits. You may begin your application by visiting this Web site or calling 1-800-772-1213.

Veteran’s Administration Benefits Office: Discover the benefits you are entitled to as a U.S. veteran by visiting this Web site or calling 1-800-827-1000.

Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center (Durham, NC): Receive medical attention at this facility that serves veterans.  For more information, visit the Web site or call 919-286-0411

N.C. Division of Veteran’s Affairs: Learn about benefits offered in N.C. for U.S. veterans by visiting this Web site or calling 919-733-3851.

N.C. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation: This state-sponsored program provides services to help disabled persons obtain jobs. Services include evaluation, special training, job counseling, and funding of services to help you get back to work. Contact 919-733-3364 for more information.

Pharmacies

You may select to use a local pharmacy in your hometown or specialty mail-order pharmacy. Your insurance case manager can help decide which is the best option for you. If you will be staying in Durham after your transplant, we will give you two sets of prescriptions (for a local pharmacy and for your home or mail-order pharmacy).

Duke Outpatient Pharmacy

The Duke Outpatient Pharmacy is located on the first floor of the Duke Clinic near the Gift Shop. Learn more about the pharmacy.

Specialty Pharmacies

Many recipients utilize special transplant pharmacies to obtain their medications. The benefits of such pharmacies are that they file insurance claims for you (including Medicare when eligible) and offer fast Federal Express services and competitive prices. You should check with your insurer to determine which one you are allowed to use.

Pharmaceutical Programs

Some pharmaceutical companies provide support programs for patients who may not be able to obtain medication due to financial limitations. You should discuss concerns with the financial coordinator prior to your transplant.

Sometimes insurance benefits change after transplant. You need to notify the nurse coordinator if this is going to happen. The nurse coordinator will facilitate this process. You must be referred to the special pharmaceutical programs by a physician.

Lodging

Most local hotels/motels offer discount medical rates, so be sure to mention that you are in Durham for medical care. A few offer special rates or services to transplant recipients; please ask your social worker for current information.

You may also want to check with your insurance company prior to your transplant to see if it will offer you financial assistance with lodging if you need to temporarily relocate close to the hospital.