Question 1

Intestinal and Multivisceral Transplant Team

Accepted Answer

The intestinal and multivisceral transplant team consists of many members to make sure your receive the best care possible. The team may include a:
Transplant Surgeon
Gastroenterologist
Hepatologist (Liver Doctor)
Registered Dietician
Infectious Disease Specialist
Cardiologist (Heart Doctor)
Transplant Nurse Coordinator
Mid-level Clinicians (Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner)
Transplant Pharmacist
Physical Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Speech-Language Pathologist
Pathologist
Psychologist or Psychiatrist 
Social Worker
Financial Coordinator

Question 2

Intestinal Transplant Evaluation

Accepted Answer

The evaluation for transplant consists of many outpatient appointments, including consultations, lab tests, and imaging studies.
 
These tests and meetings help to determine if:
Transplant is the right treatment;
There are alternative treatments that may help;
You are well enough to have a transplant.
Depending on the transplant center that you chose will determine how these appointments will be scheduled and conducted. Many centers will try to schedule the entire evaluation in a one to two-week period to accomplish everything in a short period of time, especially if you are coming in from out of town. It is important to discuss the arrangement with your individual transplant center.

Question 3

Intestinal Transplant Evaluation Appointments

Accepted Answer

Transplant Nurse Coordinators
Provide education regarding the transplant evaluation process and care pre/post-transplant.
Allows time to ask any questions you may have and become fully informed.
Intestinal Transplant Physicians/ Gastroenterologists
Assist in medical evaluation and treatment of underlying intestinal disease.
Assess ability to respond to medical and dietary intervention.
Intestinal Transplant Dieticians
Assess the ability to respond to dietary intervention.
Manage nutrition pre/post-transplant.
Educate on nutrition therapy and transition to a full oral diet.
Intestinal Transplant Surgeons
Discuss appropriateness of transplant based on the evaluation.
Educate you about the types of transplant, benefits, risks, and possible complications.
Anesthesiologists
Determine how to provide safe administration of general anesthesia during transplant.
Social Workers
Assess your support system, adherence history, and motivation for intestinal transplant.
Provide support resources, such as assistance with finding lodging near the transplant center if you are coming in from out-of-town. 
Financial Counselors
Discuss transplant coverage, costs associated with transplant, and medication costs.
Psychiatrists
Conducts in-depth psychiatric evaluation and assessment.
Pharmacists
Reviews medications to determine if there are any contraindications to transplant.
Addresses any concerns related to current and potential post-transplant medications.
Dentists
Assess oral health.
Gynecologists (females)
Assess reproductive health.
Infectious Disease Physicians
Assess past and current infections.
Assess past history on where you have lived to help determine exposure to particular bacteria and fungi. 
Determine need for vaccinations.
They provide education on preventing infections and guidance on travel safety precautions.

Question 4

Intestinal Transplant Evaluation Tests

Accepted Answer

Blood Tests
Determines how serious organ disease is and which organs are diseased.
Determines blood type.
Determines immunity or presence of certain viruses.
Chest X-Ray
Assesses the lungs.
Urine Test
Screens for urinary tract disease.
Tests for alcohol and drugs.
EKG
Assesses the electrical activity of your heart.
Echocardiogram
Assesses the structure of your heart.
Stress Test
Assesses the cardiovascular capacity of your heart.
Cardiac Catheterization
Diagnose and treat problems with your heart.
CT Scan and/or MRI
Assesses your organs extent of disease. 
Checks for any tumors.
Checks the blood supply to and from the diseased organ.
Biopsy
Helps to determine the cause of disease.
Assesses your organs extent of disease. 
Ultrasound
Determines size and shape of organ.
Checks for tumors.
Pulmonary Function Test
Assesses function of the lungs.
Endoscopy
May include colonoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), bronchoscopy, or small bowel capsule endoscopy.
Assesses the inside of organs.
Possible source of biopsies.
Venous Mapping
Assesses vascular access in the body.
Pap Smear (females)
Screens for cervical cancer.
Mammogram
Screens for breast cancer.
DEXA Scan
Assesses bone health.

Question 5

Informed Consent

Accepted Answer

Informed consent begins at the start of the transplant evaluation process and continues until transplant. Informed consent ensures that you fully understand the entire transplant process, both pre- and post-transplant. It also provides you with full knowledge of the possible risks and benefits associated with transplant and gives you the right to make educated health decisions.
Questions to Ask Your Transplant Team to Help Make an Informed Decision:
What are my choices other than transplant?
What are the risks and benefits of transplant?
What does the evaluation process include?
How long do most patients with my blood and organ type wait at this hospital for this type of transplant?
How long has this hospital and these surgeons been doing this type of transplant?
How many of these types of transplants does this hospital or surgeons perform each year?
Am I allowed to be listed at more than one transplant center (e.g. multi-listing)?
What are the organ and patient survival rates for my type of transplant at this hospital and how does that compare with the survival rates of the rest of the country?
How does the medical team decide whether or not to accept an organ for me?
How long will I have to stay in the hospital and the area after my transplant?
What is the extent of appointments and tests that I will have to endure after my transplant?
What are the costs should I expect associated with transplant and what financial assistance is offered?
For more information on comparing transplant centers, visit the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) site for the most up-to-date data.

Question 6

Selection Committee

Accepted Answer

Following completion of the evaluation for intestine transplantation, the patient’s information is presented to the multidisciplinary selection committee. Recommendations for transplant are made by the committee after review and discussion of test results and consultations:
Intestinal transplant may be recommended, and the patient will be formally listed with UNOS.
Transplant may be deferred and the patient will not be listed because additional information or tests are needed, medical management strategies may be indicated, or current psychosocial concerns are significant and must be resolved before listing.
In some cases, transplant may be denied due to medical issues that may affect survival or the patient will benefit from medical or other surgical interventions rather than transplant.
The members of the committee will vary by center and patient diagnosis, examples of members includes:
Transplant surgeons
Gastroenterologists
Nutritionists
Social workers
Ethicists
Psychiatrists
Mid-level providers
Advanced practice nurses
General surgery
Pharmacists
Anesthesia
Note: For most transplant centers and states, your transplant team will officially list you with UNOS, the national organ waiting list. If you are pursuing an intestinal or multivisceral transplant in any state other than Ohio please proceed to the section on “Waiting List” to continue reading; however, if you are pursuing a transplant in Ohio, then read the portion of information below.

Question 7

Ohio Solid Organ Transplant Consortium (OSOTC)

Accepted Answer

If you are accepted as a candidate for transplant at your transplant center in Ohio, your information will be sent to the Ohio Solid Organ Transplant Consortium (OSOTC) for further review.
This process requires the transplant physician to write a letter to OSOTC, which may take 2-4 weeks.
The primary purpose of the Ohio Solid Organ Transplantation Consortium is to ensure equitable access to quality medical care for those most likely to benefit from transplantation, regardless of ability to pay.
Once OSOTC has granted approval and your insurance company has approved you, information is then submitted to United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) for listing on the national waiting list.

Join our website for free for more information. We Never Sell Your Info or Give it Away!

Intestinal Transplant
Evaluation and The Waitlist

Intestinal and Multivisceral Transplant Team

Intestinal Transplant Evaluation

Intestinal Transplant Evaluation Appointments

Intestinal Transplant Evaluation Tests

Informed Consent

Selection Committee

Ohio Solid Organ Transplant Consortium (OSOTC)

Intestinal Transplant Evaluation and The Waitlist

Intestinal and Multivisceral Transplant Team

Intestinal Transplant Evaluation

Intestinal Transplant Evaluation Appointments

Intestinal Transplant Evaluation Tests

Informed Consent

Selection Committee

Ohio Solid Organ Transplant Consortium (OSOTC)

Intestinal Transplant
Evaluation and The Waitlist