Physicians at Intermountain Health successfully performed 300 organ transplants for patients last year alone, the Salt Lake City-based system said Jan. 31. In total there were 159 kidney transplants, 104 liver transplants, 29 heart transplants and eight kidney or pancreas transplants — marking a fourth consecutive record-breaking year for the health system.
Intermountain's transplant program saw an increase in the volume of live organ transplants performed — 32 living kidney transplants and 13 living liver transplants. Specifically for liver transplants, the organization said it outpaces the national average number because it is well-equipped to say "Yes," to transplants of this type.
Jean Botha, MD, medical director of Intermountain Health's abdominal transplant program, said the rise in transplants performed was not only due to an increase in the number of donors, but also because of "an increase in donor organ availability, as well as an improvement in technologies and ever-changing medical advances."
Looking ahead, Dr. Botha told Becker's that the health system has plans to continue to strengthen its transplant program by embracing technology, emphasizing access to transplant listings and opportunities for patients in need, and by fostering collaboration across the health system's range of medical specialists.
Doing all of this, he said, "creates a goal oriented transplant team that not only offers the highest levels of care but at the same time maintains financial efficiency."