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Choosing A Transplant Center

A Transplant Center, also referred to as a transplant hospital, is where transplants are performed. Every transplant hospital in the United States is a member of the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network and must meet highly specific requirements that promote safe and effective transplants by experienced health professionals.

Choosing A Liver Transplant Center

In the United States, there are only 124 liver transplant centers. Given the fact that there are only a few facilities equipped to perform liver transplants, the research and selection of the center you will use for your liver transplant is very important. While location is important, there are several other factors that should be taken into account during the selection.

When considering a liver transplant center, there are eight questions you can ask to assist you in selecting the liver transpant center that is best for you.

  1. How long has this hospital been doing liver transplants?

  2. How many liver transplant surgeries are performed each year at this hospital?

  3. How many surgeons perform liver transplants in this hospital?

  4. What are the organ and patient survival rates for liver transplants at this hospital?

  5. Is there a special unit specifically for transplant patients?

  6. What part of the transplant cost is covered by insurance?

  7. What financial coverage is accepted by this hospital?

  8. Can I tour the transplant center?
The University Hospital Of Cincinnati Liver Transplant Center

Trusted by a wide variety of patients with liver disease problems, the University Hospital of Cincinnati Liver Transplant Center is a comprehensive program that helps patients in all aspects of the transplant process, before, during and after. Let us share with you, our answers to the eight questions you should ask any transplant center.

  1. How long has this hospital been doing liver transplants?

    The University Hospital Liver Transplant Program has been performing liver transplants since 1986 and will celebrate the program's 20th anniversary in 2006.


  2. How many liver transplant surgeries are performed each year at this hospital?

    UC Surgeons perform an average of about 75 liver transplants each year.

  3. How many surgeons perform liver transplants in this hospital?

    Our liver transplant surgeons include Steven Rudich, M.D., Joseph Buell, M.D. and Mark Thomas, M.D.

  4. Is there a special unit specifically for transplant patients?

    Patients receive their post-transplant care on the sixth floor, north and west corridors, of the main hospital building. Staff in this area are specifically trained to care for transplant patients.

  5. What part of the transplant cost is covered by insurance?

    Each patient's coverage depends on their insurance policy. Our financial counselors would be happy to help you work with your insurance company on your coverage. You can reach the financial counselors by calling the liver transplant office at 513-584-9999 and listen to the prompt for the
    financial counselor.

  6. What financial coverage is accepted by this hospital?

    University Hospitals accepts many insurance plans such as United Healthcare, United Medical Resources, Medical Mutual, Aetna, Medicare and Medicaid. We also negotiate with other insurance companies on a case by case basis.

  7. Can I tour the transplant center?

    We'd be happy to give you a tour. To maintain the good health of our patients on immunosuppressive drugs, tours are limited to persons over 14 years of agewho are in good health.

Registering at
Multpile Transplant Centers

You may decide to register at more than one transplant center. However, each center determines who it accepts as candidates and reserves the right to decline patients who are listed at other centers.Please tell them you are on multiple waiting lists.

The Five Steps Of
Organ Matching

1. An Organ Is Donated

When an organ becomes available, the Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) managing the donor enters the medical information about the donor into the UNOS computer system.

2. A List of Potential
Recipients is Generated

The UNOS computer system generates a list of candidates who have medical and biologic profiles compatible with the donor's. The computer ranks candidates based upon how closely they match the donor's medical urgency, time spent waiting and proximity of candidates to the donor.

3. The Transplant Center is
Notified Of Available Organ

Organ placement specialist at the OPO or the UNOS Organ Center contact the transplant centers whose patients appear on the ranked list.

4. The Transplant Team Considers the Organ for the Patient

When the team is offered an organ, it bases it's acceptance or refusal of the organ upon established medical criteria and organ condition, candidate condition, staff and patient availabilityand organ transportation. By policy, the transplant team has one hour to make its decision.

5. The Organ is
Accepted or Declined

If the organ is not accepted, the OPO continues to offer it for patients at other centers until it is placed.

Choosing A Center ° Am I A Candidate ° Donor Types ° Wait List ° Insurance ° Operation Day ° Hospital Stay

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Choosing A Transplant Center: University Hospital of Cincinnati (Ohio) Liver Transplant Program