The Purpose of our study was to investigate the role of inherited patients in transplant centers. For the purpose of this study, an inherited patient is defined as a patient not transplanted by your center, but for whom your center has taken over the primary care.Methods:Nurse practitioners from 24 states were surveyed while attending a national conference for transplant nurse practitioners. 71% of attendees (n = 38) completed the survey. Results were analyzed using descriptive quantitative and qualitative statistics. Results 42% of those surveyed work in centers that accept more than 20 inherited patients per year. More than 75% feel that inherited patients require more resources than other transplant center patients. 60% of respondents accept an unlimited amount of inherited patients per year. 75% felt that a lack of records from the referring center resulted in increased resource usage. 51% felt that it was due to the center’s unfamiliarity with the patient, while 38% felt that it was due to patient unfamiliarity with the transplant center. Finally,20% attributed it to patient lack of trust with the transplant center. Others felt it could be attributed to poor patient compliance, difficulty adjusting to new testing protocols, patient acuity, and lack of coordination between centers. Successful strategies identified for working with inherited patients included: 1) close communication with referring transplant center, 2) prolonged first visits with multiple team members 3) clear boundary setting and 4) ensuring adequate records on file before appointment scheduling. The majority of centers require review by a coordinator and presentation at selection committee prior to acceptance. The biggest barriers identified to successful transition of the inherited patients were 1) records, 2) differences in protocols, and 3) educational differences among centers.Conclusions Inherited patients are a common issue among transplant centers. Resource usage among this patient cohort seems disproportionate for a variety of reasons. Common problems identified were lack of records, poor communication among transplant centers, protocol and educational differences, and familiarity and trust. Clearly, additional study needs to be given for successful management of this population. Records, communication, education, and trust can all be addressed when properly identified. Additional research into each reason and specific strategies for successful transition are needed and would benefit both transplant centers and their patients.

« Back to 2013 American Transplant Congress