Transplant: The Ultimate Team Sport. A Potential Answer to Workforce Challenges in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

A major challenge for transplanters, is how to meet the workforce capacity necessary to support the increase in transplants that are projected. This includes physicians, nurses, NP’s and PA’s, pharmacists, coordinators, social workers and many others who make up the transplant team. Despite the extensive hours often required, repeatedly when staff are asked what they enjoy most about transplant the word team comes up. In the summer of 2011 a clinically successful transplant program in Phoenix Arizona was closed due to a change in values at the parent institution. The transplant team wanted to continue to serve current and future transplant patients. After discussion with FACT it was recognized to maintain accreditation that all key personal or the “blood and guts” of the program must move together. In November 2011 the team moved to a new facility. Transplant SOP’s and Quality manuals were completely rewritten. Follow up of existing patients began immediately, new patients were seen starting in January, an inpatient and outpatient unit was rebuilt and certified by the state in February and the first transplant was performed that month. At present the following have been performed. 250 Consults from 74 different providers 67 Apheresis Procedures 50 Transplants (29 Auto, 12 Sibling, 9 MUD) 4 Insurance company inspections 1 FACT Inspection During this time staff frequently worked overtime and yet their overall satisfaction scores went from 2.3 to 9.4. When asked to state the best thing about what they did the answer was virtually unanimous; the team approach. This approach increases satisfaction for the transplant team who often experience significant stress and pressure relative to the patients that they encounter. Using a team collaborative approach enhances feelings of accomplishment and improves satisfaction scores. Such an approach may be useful in dealing with the workforce challenges in the BMT field.