Our Program
Utah's first living liver donor program — Intermountain Liver Transplant at Intermountain Medical Center — began in 1986 at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. We began as the 14th liver transplant center in America and the second center in the West. To date, we’ve performed over 1,000 liver transplants, including living-related, deceased donor, and split liver transplantation.
Learn more about living liver donation.
In 2016, Intermountain Healthcare successfully transplanted the United States' first Heptatitis-C positive liver with a view to cure the virus afterward.
Intermountain continues to use cutting-edge technology and expertise to increase organ availability. There are multiple types of organ donors, many come from patients that have suffered brain death, others come from cardiac death (DCD). By accepting all types of organs, Intermountain transplants more often resulting in shorter wait times than national averages with comparable outcomes.
More than 18,000 patients are listed for liver transplant throughout the nation. Intermountain Medical Center averages 50 liver transplants each year with a 93 percent survival rate for the first year.
Learn more about living liver donation.
In 2016, Intermountain Healthcare successfully transplanted the United States' first Heptatitis-C positive liver with a view to cure the virus afterward.
Intermountain continues to use cutting-edge technology and expertise to increase organ availability. There are multiple types of organ donors, many come from patients that have suffered brain death, others come from cardiac death (DCD). By accepting all types of organs, Intermountain transplants more often resulting in shorter wait times than national averages with comparable outcomes.
More than 18,000 patients are listed for liver transplant throughout the nation. Intermountain Medical Center averages 50 liver transplants each year with a 93 percent survival rate for the first year.
About Us
In addition to treating liver failure, we specialize in treating all diseases of the liver and bile ducts. Areas of expertise include primary and metastatic tumors of the liver, bile duct problems, portal hypertension, liver cysts, and all types of hepatitis. Our affiliation with the Liver-Pancreas Center provides state-of-the-art care for these difficult problems. Our goal is to restore quality of life to patients with advanced liver disease.
Our Team
There are many people who play an important role in the transplant process. Together they make up the transplant team. You and your family members are an important part of this team. Here’s a look at some of the roles that make up the team and what is expected of each team member.
Patients
You should be the ultimate decision maker in directing your care. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Tell us what you want. Speak up if you notice physical changes or problems. Let us know if you’re in pain or if you’re concerned about something. We also ask that you follow through on treatments and recommendations made by other members of the team.Physicians
Our experienced board-certified doctors and mid-level providers will help manage your daily physical care, perform procedures and coordinating with other consulting specialists.Dietitian
A dietitian will help you maintain a healthy diet that will prepare you for transplant and give your body the calories and nutrition it needs to heal.Transplant Pharmacist
A pharmacist specializing in caring for transplant patients will instruct you about the transplant medications, side effects, and how to take the medications.Social Workers
Our social workers can provide emotional support to patients and families. They can help you cope with stress, anxiety, depression, grief and loss. They can also help connect you with community resources, housing and spiritual support.Financial Coordinator
The financial coordinator handles all billing and financial issues for both the patient and donor. They work closely with insurance companies to figure out benefits and request authorization. They can also help identify financial assistance options and handles all billing and financial issues.Nurses
You will see nurses both in the clinic and during your hospital stay. They will assist with your daily care, assess symptoms and side effects, manage medication administration and provide education about your plan of care.Our Facility
Outpatient Clinic
The Intermountain Transplant Center is located on the third floor of the Eccles Outpatient Care Center (Building 2) at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah. The clinic is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Inpatient Hospital Unit
Following surgery, most transplant patients recover on the 10th floor of the patient tower (Building 5) at Intermountain Medical Center.Each inpatient room has a fold-out bed for a caregiver to stay in if desired. All rooms have a television and DVD player, and there is a large selection of DVDs available to borrow on the unit.
There is free wireless internet access available in all of our patient rooms and throughout the hospital. Just log in to the “Intermountain_Guest” network and agree to the terms of use.
Intermountain Medical Center is located in the heart of the Salt Lake Valley and is the largest structure in the area. Rooms boast beautiful and unimpeded views of the Wasatch mountains to the east and the Oquirrh mountains to the west.
Parking
Free valet parking is available at the entrances of both the Outpatient Care Center and the Patient Tower Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The valet will meet you at your car and park it for you so you can go straight into the hospital. No tips, please! Free public parking is available in the parking lots on west side of the hospital.Public Transportation
The Utah Transit Authority's Murray Central Station is located directly across the street from Intermountain Medical Center. Front Runner trains from Ogden and Provo, TRAX light rail trains, and buses all stop there. TRAX trains offer transportation to the hospital from the Salt Lake International Airport. A hospital shuttle is available to give you a free ride from the station to the hospital. To contact the shuttle for a pickup, call (801) 507-7000.Frequently Asked Questions
What function does the liver have?
The liver is an organ on the right side of the abdomen. It filters toxins out of the blood and helps the body filter nutrients. When the liver stops functioning properly, serious health problems result.
Do I need a liver transplant?
Those with serious liver disease can receive treatment to slow their condition's progression and keep them relatively healthy, but, ultimately, liver failure will take place. Unlike those who suffer from kidney disease, patients with End Stage Liver Disease (ESLD) have no choice but transplantation if they wish to prolong their lives. There is no way to compensate for lost liver function.
How successful are liver transplants?
Since the first liver transplants in the 1960s, liver transplantation has become a very successful treatment for ESLD. The advent of immunosuppression medications has drastically increased the life of the transplanted organ and decreased the occurrence of rejection episodes, prolonging the recipient's life. Modern surgical procedures and technology have also brought success to liver transplantation. The Intermountain Transplant Center consistently achieves patient and graft survival rates above the national average with waiting times two months shorter than the national time.