Date of Award

Fall 12-1-2023

Embargo Period

12-14-2023

Document Type

Dissertation - MUSC Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Health Administration

Department

Health Administration

College

College of Health Professions

First Advisor

Kit Simpson

Second Advisor

Elinor Borgert

Third Advisor

Prabhakar Baliga

Fourth Advisor

Prince Anand

Abstract

This project is a quality review project of the Medical University of South Carolina kidney transplant program that focuses on obese, high body mass index (BMI) patients who were referred to bariatrics. One hundred and eighteen pre-kidney transplant patients who were referred to bariatrics were identified through the EHR, though not all patients were required to see bariatrics for listing. Chart review demonstrated that 28% of the patients were below the departmental BMI cutoff, 43% could lose weight independently (enough to affect their listing), and only 15% underwent bariatric surgery. Body mass index appears to be an access to transplant issue affecting more African Americans and females than other groups. Bariatric surgery resulted in patients getting transplants quicker than their counterparts who lost weight on their own. These savings could offset the costs associated with surgery and improve long-term transplant outcomes.

Rights

Copyright is held by the author. All rights reserved.

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