Liver Transplant Evaluation and Assessment Guide

Welcome to the Queensland Liver Transplant Service (QLTS). The information in this guide will help you understand the process once your doctor has referred you to be considered for a liver transplant.

The first step of the workup is provided by the Hepatology Team at Burke Street outpatient clinic and/or in Ward 4E.

The evaluation process for a liver transplant is very thorough. We will be asking that you have many tests assessing the function of your liver and other important body organs. All test results are reviewed and may turn up new diagnoses which in turn may need further investigation. Test results will be discussed with you. Transplantation is not the treatment of choice for everyone.

Most patients have their transplant assessment as an outpatient. All the investigations are booked as outpatient appointments. For some patients it may be necessary for you to be admitted, and we will try to do as many tests as possible during your inpatient stay. The liver transplant coordinator will discuss with you how your assessment will be carried out.

Liver Transplant Evaluation and Assessment Guide

In this guide:

  1. Information and contact details for the liver transplant hepatology team
  2. The liver - its function and anatomy
  3. Signs of liver disease
  4. Pre-transplant assessment and evaluation
  5. The assessment team
  6. Allied Health Services
  7. Palliative care
  8. Pharmacy—medications before your transplant
  9. Case discussion and assessment presentation
  10. Will I make the list?
  11. The liver transplant waiting list
  12. Model for End stage Liver Disease (MELD)
  13. Support Through Education Program (STEP)
  14. The Donor
  15. What happens when you are notified that a donor liver is available?
  16. The liver transplant operation
  17. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patient information
  18. The recovery period
  19. Pharmacy—medications after your transplant
  20. Rejection
  21. Donor family correspondence and information
  22. Glossary

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