Spleen Australia

Following a splenectomy or a diagnosis of hyposplenism, it is important that you understand how to keep healthy and take necessary steps to do so.

Your health care team may refer you to Spleen Australia as they provide support services to help you and your family manage your health. You can also register yourself via the Spleen Australia website.

Registered patients will receive:

• an education kit with information on the best way to manage this aspect of your health
• a telephone education session with a registered nurse
• telephone support to ask any questions about this aspect of your health
  • Queenslanders call 1800 SPLEEN (1800 775 336)
• a credit-card sized ‘spleen alert card’—to be carried at all times in case of emergencies—as well as other educational material
• a “health update” either emailed or sent in post as the need arises during the year. Patients and GPs are encouraged to review the Spleen Australia website www.spleen.org.au for updated documents and information.

Spleen Australia will also ensure that the doctors of registered Queenslanders receive consistent, best-practice recommendations for the prevention and treatment of overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI).

For help completing registration, contact Spleen Australia on 1800 SPLEEN (1800 775 336)

*Any information provided to the Spleen Australia will be kept confidential at all times.

About the Spleen Australia

Over 4000 Queenslanders are currently living without a spleen (asplenia), or with reduced spleen function (hyposplensim). They face a lifetime higher risk of contracting bacterial infections, known as OPSI, that can progress from being serious to life-threatening very quickly. Because of the speed in which the infections can develop they are often very difficult to treat and can be fatal.

Queensland Health engages Spleen Australia to provide of services to Queenslanders living without a spleen, or with reduced spleen function. They aim to prevent serious infections in people who lack a functioning spleen by raising awareness and educating patients, their families and medical practitioners.

Spleen Australia (formerly known as the Victorian Spleen Service and registry) has been supporting the care of this patient group in Victoria since 2003.

Spleen Australia is the sole provider of services to Australians living without a spleen, or with reduced spleen function. They aim to prevent serious infections in people who lack a functioning spleen by raising awareness and educating patients, their families and medical practitioners.

Registering with Spleen Australia gives:

• patients and their families access to important information and support
• doctors of registered patients access to consistent, best-practice recommendations for the prevention and treatment of OPSI.

Registered patients also give Spleen Australia consent to send their doctor a Spleen Australia Report and to discuss their healthcare with them, if necessary.

The report outlines the patient’s medical treatment after their splenectomy, future vaccination dates, information on antibiotic usage and recommendations for the patient’s ongoing healthcare.

It is expected that referring patients to the Spleen Australia service following a splenectomy, or a diagnosis of hyposplenism, will become routine practice for Queensland healthcare providers.

More information

Read the patient information sheet for people who lack a functioning spleen.

Visit the Spleen Australia website.