Research Paper on UCSF Liver Transplant: A Second Chance for Life-Saving Care

Introduction

UCSF liver transplant program at the University of San Francisco offers individuals experiencing the final stage of liver infection a second chance to live. The liver is the largest organ of the human body that plays vital functions such as breaking down toxic substances like alcohol, making of elements responsible for blood clotting, excretes bile, and processes fats, carbohydrates, and proteins (UCSF Health, 2020). Therefore, the failure of the liver to function can be fatal and result in death. UCSF Liver Transplant program, designated by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, makes liver transplantation safe and effective, allowing patients to lead longer and active lives after reaching the final stage of the liver disease.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Criteria Associated with the Policy

Patients who start experiencing liver failure are eligible for the transplant. However, many doctors do not recommend a liver transplant for individuals with conditions and health habits that would deter their wellbeing after transplantation (UCSF Health, 2020). For instance, patients who are active substance abusers, have other infections outside the liver, experience life-threatening conditions such as cancers of the bile duct and metastatic carcinoma, or have lung and heart diseases are not eligible for the transplant (UCSF Health, 2020). Although the age limit for the liver transplant is individualized depending on the health of a person, patients above 70 years rarely get approved for the liver transplant. Moreover, a liver transplant is among the most costly procedures; the total amount required for pre and post-transplantation costs is approximately $577,000 (Gupta, 2013). Therefore, patients without stable insurance coverage may not be eligible for the transplant.

Evaluation Method

The first step of the liver transplant procedure is the preliminary or Phase I evaluation that helps determine if the transplant is an appropriate option for the treatment of the patient. In the initial stage, the transplant team also assesses the medical factors linked to the failure of the liver (UCSF Health, 2020). The team carries out a series of tests including blood tests, ultrasound scans, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray and pulmonary functioning tests, which help determine the condition of the liver, blood flow from the liver, changes in the heart rhythm, detect lung infections, measure lung capacity and detect any changes in the heart rhythm respectively (UCSF Health, 2020). After the tests, the lung specialist and the surgeon do a full examination of patients' livers, reviews their health history, and informs them on what will be required once on the waiting list.

Waiting Period

After the evaluation procedure, the transplant team reviews each case and determines the patients to be added on the waiting list. Individuals who meet the criteria undergo further tests to keep updates of their health conditions (UCSF Health, 2020). Patients can either be on a living or deceased donor list; the waiting period depends on the status of the donor. For those receiving a liver from a deceased donor can wait for up to two to three years until the donor is available. The waiting period for patients receiving a living donor takes about four to six months. The living donor is usually a family member or a friend aged of the same blood type as the patient or has blood type "O" (UCSF Medical Centre, n.d). He or she should also be in good health, a non-smoker, not overweight, and between 18 and 55 years old to be eligible for liver donation (UCSF Medical Centre, n.d).

Pros and Cons of UCSF Liver Transplantation

Most liver transplants are successful, giving patients a second chance to lead healthy and active lives. The donor does not have to offer an entire liver since it a fast-growing organ and gets back to its standard size in weeks (UCSF Medical Centre, n.d). Therefore, after the transplant, both the donor and the recipient leave the hospital with healthy livers. Nevertheless, the odds of getting a transplant at UCSF medical center are very low. More than 17,500 patients are put on the waiting list every year, but more than 1700 die while still on the list (UCSF Medical Centre, n.d). The livers are given to the sickliest patients while the rest wait until they are very ill. Moreover, patients can develop complications after surgery such as blood clot, rejection, hemorrhage, and in some patients, liver disease come back (UCSF Medical Centre, n.d).

Conclusion

Conclusively, UCSF liver organ transplant program offers quality services to their patients, helping them lead healthy lives. In the case of liver failure, the organization evaluates the health condition of the patients and offer liver transplantation services to the individuals who meet the criteria.

References

Gupta, M. (2013). Was it worth it? Costs of care. https://costsofcare.org/was-it-worth-it/

UCSF Health. (2020). Liver transplant program. University of California, San Francisco health. https://www.ucsfhealth.org/clinics/liver-transplant-program

UCSF Health. (2020). Liver Transplant. University of California, San Francisco health. https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/liver-transplant

UCSF Medical Centre (n.d). UCSF living donor liver transplant program. University of California, San Francisco medical center transplant services. https://transplantsurgery.ucsf.edu/media/6843199/004_UCSF%20Living%20Donor%20Liver%20Transplantation%20Overview.pdf