Transplant Evaluation: Medical Considerations

Here's a more typical example: A 60-year old man with hepatitis C, alcohol, ascites, esophageal varices. What does the social worker write? "There are no concerns over the wife's ability to accompany the patient to clinic visits, to offer physical and emotional assistance and to ensure compliance." That sounds good. A little bit later: "Wife is currently unable to drive, and this lack of transportation could limit patient's ability to follow up with care." That makes me a little concerned. "Patient's cognition is not improved and this limits his ability to understand the transplant process and possible compliance." Now I'm getting more nervous. And some place also in the packet, the GI fellow writes: "Patient is here alone without his wife again. I discussed at great length that the wife was to come with the patient to clinic. I am greatly concerned about the patient's compliance." These are in black and white, and you get the sense that perhaps there are some problems here with how well this patient is going to come through the transplant process.