title: Preparing for a face transplant: development of a comprehensive nursing educational program.
abstract: To date, more than 30 face transplants have been performed worldwide. This innovative procedure has restored the functional and aesthetic aspects of the face in patients with cancer, congenital, and trauma-related deformities where the results of traditional reconstructive surgery have been deficient. The importance of nursing involvement in the care of these patients is undeniable; however, little has been published about how to properly prepare a nursing department to undertake such an important role. Although the care of patients undergoing face transplants has many similarities to the care of patients undergoing traditional head and neck flap procedures, patients undergoing face transplant provide unique challenges, including immunosuppression, allograft rejection, communication impairment, and psychosocial needs. Staff at New York University's Langone Medical Center have devised a specific plan of action to properly inform, educate, and prepare the nursing staff for this exciting endeavor.
authors.affiliation: New York University, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sweeney
authors.affiliation: New York University, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Calame-Mars
authors.affiliation: New York University, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Dorothy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dojlidko
authors.affiliation: New York University, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frank-Bader
authors.affiliation: New York University, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.affiliation: New York University, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Jasmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Waterman
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D054445:Facial Transplantation / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000451:nursing*; D009518:New York; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D066027:Transplant Recipients / Q000523:psychology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000451:nursing*