A recent study by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients ranks the University Medical Center number one in the nation for lung transplant operation survival.
The ranking is based on a 98.08 percent survival rate from the 52 lung transplant procedures performed at the University's transplant center from 2003 to 2005.
One reason for the Medical Center's high survival rate comes from a recent change in how patients are prioritized for receiving transplants.
In the past, patients have been placed on a list based on when they requested a lung transplant, but now they are ranked using a new scoring system, according to Donna Charlebois, nurse practitioner and lung transplant coordinator from the University Transplant Center.
"There is certain data we gather such as the amount of oxygen the patient is receiving, their age and their state of health, and they get a score based on that data," Charlesbois said. "The person who is least likely to survive on the list but is most likely to survive after transplant gets the highest score."
The patients who enter the transplant center are also put through an extensive evaluation before they are accepted for transplants.
"We generally do not perform transplants on patients over the age of 65 and we won't see patients if they have been smoking in the past six months," Charlesbois said.
Along with the intense evaluation process for patients, the transplant center's high survival rate has also resulted from the reduction in toxic medications and the dedication of the center's staff, according to Charlesbois.
"We work together as a team here at U.Va.," said Beverly Ryan, nurse practitioner and transplant coordinator. "We have excellent surgeons who can get sick patients through surgery and very good follow-up."
The follow-up provided by the transplant center includes frequent post-operative check ups, continued monitoring of lab work and access to a support group.
"The improvement in the quality of life [from the procedure] is enormous," said Mark Robbins, medical director and lung transplant surgeon.
The Center performs about 35 lung transplants annually and has an active waiting list for organ donation that currently includes seven patients and 15 to 20 under evaluation, according to Charlesbois.
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