Multi-Organ Transplant

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“With innovation and the highest clinical and academic quality for patient care in mind, the Multi-Organ Transplant Program performs approximately 400 transplants annually, provides follow-up care to almost 5000 transplant recipients, and serves as a model for many other transplant centres around the world.” - Dr. Gary Levy, Medical Director, Multi-Organ Transplant Program

As the first and largest transplant program in Canada, the Multi-Organ Transplant Program at UHN provides a broad spectrum of services currently encompassing heart, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas and small bowel transplantation. Our Living Liver and Kidney Donor Programs are very successful in providing organs for patients and the living liver program has become the largest program in North America.

Organ transplants are a life-saving treatment for patients with organ failure involving the heart, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas or small bowel.
The transplantation procedure involves the use of donor organs to replace diseased or damaged organs. In some cases, an organ (kidney) or a part of an organ (liver or lung) can be transferred from a living donor to a recipient. All transplant operations are made possible through the generous act of organ donation. Transplant Inpatient Units
Patients often wait several months for a transplant operation because there are more patients who need transplants than there are organ donors. In Canada, almost 4,000 patients are waiting for organ transplants and about 800 of these patients are in Toronto.

Multidisciplinary Team

The Multi-Organ Transplant Program is proud of its multidisciplinary approach to patient care.

Transplant patients from all organ groups benefit from our team of multidisciplinary health care professionals, most of whom specialize in the field of transplantation, and work exclusively within the Multi Organ Transplant Program.

In addition to medicine and nursing, the program currently includes professionals from the following allied health professions: psychiatry, social work, nutrition, pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, and home care.
These team members provide an integrated, holistic approach to patient care and enable our program to address patient management issues efficiently and effectively. Our multidisciplinary team provides services to patients awaiting transplant, and in-hospital, as well as providing consultation to patients in ambulatory care. Team members contribute to program development at the unit, program, and organizational levels, participating in various program committees, research and education initiatives.

Philosophy of Care

We believe that our work is only possible through the generous act of organ donation and our efforts must honour these remarkable gifts from organ donors and their families.

We believe that respect, dignity, integrity and empathy drive all care and support all relationships, that courtesy and consideration are basic to every interaction.

We believe that the goal of the MOT Program is to work in partnership with individuals, families and the community to promote optimal health and quality of life for patients through all phases of transplantation and/or circumstances in their lives.

We believe that the field of transplantation is a unique and complex body of knowledge and is most comprehensive and best delivered with the participation and partnership of a multi-disciplinary health care team.

We believe that all members of the health care team make an important and valuable contribution to the plan of care. Each member of the team is a dedicated professional who continually maintains a current knowledge base and consistently strives to advance the science and art of transplantation.

We believe that all people are unique with their own needs, goals, and abilities.

We believe that people achieve their optimal state of health in collaboration with the health care team.

We believe that information and education provide patients with knowledge to exercise their rights and responsibilities to make informed decisions about their health care.

We believe that the best possible care is based on patient needs, available resources and ethical principles.

We believe that all services must be provided in a safe environment, which supports health goals and enables care to be delivered with comfort and efficiency.

Establishing partnerships with patients

At the heart of the Multi-Organ Transplant Program's commitment to excellence is our dedication to the patient-team relationship. It begins with helping patients while they wait for transplantation. It continues as we support them through the transplant procedure and follow their progress with long-term drug therapy. At every stage, patients are the centre of the transplant team. Through education and information, we support patients and their families in making informed decisions about their health care.

Multi-Organ Transplant Care Areas
	Heart
	Heart and Lung
	Kidney
	Liver
	Lung
	Pancreas and Kidney
	Small Bowel

Organ Donation

The Trillium Gift of Life Network manages the organ donation process throughout Ontario. We invite you to access their site for a comprehensive overview of organ donation issues for the public and health care professionals.

The Trillium Gift of Life Network web site can be found at www.GiftofLife.on.ca.

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