LIVER
UAB ’ s Liver Transplant Program – the only one in Alabama – has performed 3,000 liver transplants since its launch in 1983 . This volume has helped our program distinguish itself as one of the nation ’ s most experienced , with outcomes that consistently rank among the best in the United States , and we continue to overcome barriers to transplantation .
To better serve patients across a wide geographic territory , UAB streamlined the transplant evaluation process and reduced burdensome aspects . For the convenience of our patients , we provide comprehensive pre-transplant evaluations and post-transplant outpatient care at several satellite clinics in south Alabama and in Tennessee .
Satellite Clinics Through partnerships with local physicians , the Comprehensive Transplant Institute ( CTI ) operates satellite clinics in Alabama and Tennessee to serve liver transplant patients who live outside of the Birmingham area . The clinics in Mobile , Ala ., and Chattanooga , Tenn ., were started five years ago and offer pre-transplant evaluations as well as post-transplant follow-up care .
In addition , we ’ ve expanded access to organs through our hepatitis C-positive to hepatitis C-negative program , which allows us to safely transplant organs from infected donors then cure the hepatitis C in the recipient with antiviral therapy . The CTI developed relevant protocols for all solid organs , applying them first with our kidney / pancreas and liver programs , and this led to more transplants and reduced wait times .
Further , the CTI instituted an acute alcoholic hepatitis transplant protocol that makes liver transplants available to patients who would ’ ve been declined in the past , and already it has resulted in many lives saved . Rather than relying on a strict six-month sobriety requirement , as is the policy at many transplant centers , the CTI takes an individualized approach to the assessment of each patient and offers transplants to those believed to be at low risk for sustained relapse after transplant . We work closely with the UAB Addiction Recovery Program in this effort , and to date , no patients in the program have lost their liver grafts due to recurrent alcohol use .
ORGANS – LIVER
A third clinic opened in November 2021 in Dothan , Ala ., providing pre-transplant evaluations , hepatobiliary and liver tumor care , non-transplant hepatology care , and post-transplant care . The three clinics conducted over 250 patient visits between July 2021 and June 2022 .
UAB liver transplant patient Rex Bryant says he ’ s grateful for the convenience . “ The transplant process can be grueling , both mentally and physically ,” he says . “ Driving to Mobile instead of going 230 miles to Birmingham may seem like a small thing , but it is very helpful . My wife Michell and I have so much gratitude for the whole staff at the UAB satellite clinic in Mobile .”
Expanding Access The CTI considers transfers of patients with acute and acute-on-chronic liver failure , regardless of their potential transplant candidacy , and this has made UAB a statewide resource for patients facing this challenging disease . Also , we recently began offering liver transplantation for eligible patients with unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma .
EXCELLENCE IN ONE-YEAR PATIENT AND GRAFT SURVIVAL ( 2021 )
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