Bone Marrow Transplant Unit

The Bone Marrow Transplant Unit (BMTU)is a specialist area where either Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) or Bone Marrow (BM) transplants are undertaken.

There are 3 main ways this can be done:

1. patient receives own PBSC/BM back - autologous,
   
2. patient recieves a relative's PBSC/BM - allogeneic, or
   
3. patients recieve an unrelated person's BM - Matched Unrelated Donor(MUD)
   

This is the Western Australian centre for adults who require allogeneic or MUD transplants, autologous are now done in other metropolitan centres. You will care for critically ill patients whose immune system is affected by strong cytotoxic chemotherapy with supportive measures.

Other patient conditions commonly seen on BMTU include haematological malignancies like acute leukemia. Some of the skills gained working here include: cytotoxic chemotherapy, care of pancytopenic patients, infusing blood products including PBSC or BM, and central line care including blood taking.

The bone marrow transplant coordinator schedules and plans bone marrow transplants, and coordinates national/international transport of donor marrow. The coordinator has a significant role in patient education and counselling, and is available for advice Monday - Friday.

There is also a patient counsellor available to provide support to patients and their significant others.

For further enquiries about the BMTU contact:

Kay Griffiths – Nurse Manager

T: (08) 9224 3504, page 3504
F: (08) 9224 3807
P: GPO Box X2213, Perth WA 6847
E: kay.griffiths@health.wa.gov.au