[kaeky]

what is a bone marrow transplant floor like? is it a specialty or med/surg? Do all hospitals have this unit?? Is it high acuity?

[nursemary9]

A bone marrow transplant floor is VERY Specialized.

Mostly cancer/leukemia patients. It is done for a coup[le of other things, but can/t remember off hand exactly .

Our Bone Marrow unit was part of our Hematology/Oncology Service.
We had 3 beds on the Hem/Onc floor. The rooms were special--laminar air flow rooms. The reason is because prior to the bone marrow infusion, the pt's white cells are completely destroyed--either by high dose chemo therapy or radiation or usually a combination of both. Once the wbc's are down to nothing they will infuse the bone marrow thru a central line.----Usually the pt. has a quinton and or a triple lumen.
Gowns, gloves, caps over our hair & booties over shoes---unless we had special shoes.
Absolutely the strictest neutropenic & thrombocytopenic precautions!!
No flowers, no fresh fruit; The neutropenic diet!!
No tap water & so forth.
The pt. needs a great deal of care. Multiple antibiotcs. Absolutely the best aseptic technique. We did 1:1 care when I did bone marrows.

Besides the pt. being EXTREMELy ill, you also have graft vs. host disease. This is characterized by massive amouts of diarrhea.

Most of these pt's are very septic. they need lots of IV fluids, usually & LOTS of antibiotics.

They have terrible mouth soreness &/or rectal sloughing.
All side effects of the chemo/rt.

Not all hospitals have a bmt unit.
Yes the acuity's are very high