Economic trends and issues related to heart transplantation

Heart transplantation continues to be a focal point of discussion pertaining to the allocation of expensive medical resources. Patients and providers currently face multiple challenges related to the financing of transplantation from pretransplant screening to long-term posttransplant care. Managed care continues to have an impact, which will hopefully lead to improved clinical outcomes and lower costs. Nurses remain instrumental as key team members and patient advocates who continue to work toward cost-effective patient management.