Patients await gift of life from donors
ANGIE DANIELSKI, Clarion Staff Writer
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: News
Tom had become sick and could no longer work. With the possibility of a liver transplant looming, Tom knew he needed to obtain insurance to cover the extensive medical bills that were imminent. Since he didn't have insurance, he moved back to Wisconsin and with Terry's help, was able to obtain Medical Assistance. "It was a very difficult from the aspect of getting Medical Assistance before he could be put on the list," Terry said. Tom tries to remain optimistic while waiting, "I could give up and get depressed, but I have to deal with it and keep a positive attitude," he states.
In order to get placed on the transplant waiting list, there is an extensive battery of tests, both medically and psychosocially. The transplant team consists of the surgeons, the specialist (in Tom's case a hepatologist) and a nurse coordinator. Together, the team assesses the patient to ensure the best possible outcome after surgery. Patients undergo imaging studies, a cardiac work-up and a psychosocial evaluation, in addition to a routine physical exam and blood work. While this process may take awhile, the transplant team is working hard to ensure patients are understanding everything that is happening, and what they will need to do next. "The actual process through the University Hospital and Clinics (UWHC) was no problem and things were explained very well," recalls Terry. Once a patient is ready to be listed, they are entered into a national database to await transplantation.
The UWHC Organ Procurement Office (OPO) is part of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). According to the UW Health website, the office not only works to improve donation rates, but also works to educate and promote donation. The UNOS Organ Center helps to facilitate organ sharing among organ procurement offices throughout the nation. The primary functions of the UNOS is placing donated organs, gathering donor information and running the donor/recipient match process, transporting donated organs and acting as a resource for the transplant community. By utilizing the matching system, UNOS contacts the OPO when an organ becomes available to an eligible patient. The organ is then offered to the highest ranked patient. If the organ is turned down, the next highest potential recipient is contacted until the organ is accepted. Once the organ is accepted, transportation arrangements are made through UNOS and the transplant surgery is scheduled at a local transplant center.
In order to get placed on the transplant waiting list, there is an extensive battery of tests, both medically and psychosocially. The transplant team consists of the surgeons, the specialist (in Tom's case a hepatologist) and a nurse coordinator. Together, the team assesses the patient to ensure the best possible outcome after surgery. Patients undergo imaging studies, a cardiac work-up and a psychosocial evaluation, in addition to a routine physical exam and blood work. While this process may take awhile, the transplant team is working hard to ensure patients are understanding everything that is happening, and what they will need to do next. "The actual process through the University Hospital and Clinics (UWHC) was no problem and things were explained very well," recalls Terry. Once a patient is ready to be listed, they are entered into a national database to await transplantation.
The UWHC Organ Procurement Office (OPO) is part of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). According to the UW Health website, the office not only works to improve donation rates, but also works to educate and promote donation. The UNOS Organ Center helps to facilitate organ sharing among organ procurement offices throughout the nation. The primary functions of the UNOS is placing donated organs, gathering donor information and running the donor/recipient match process, transporting donated organs and acting as a resource for the transplant community. By utilizing the matching system, UNOS contacts the OPO when an organ becomes available to an eligible patient. The organ is then offered to the highest ranked patient. If the organ is turned down, the next highest potential recipient is contacted until the organ is accepted. Once the organ is accepted, transportation arrangements are made through UNOS and the transplant surgery is scheduled at a local transplant center.
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