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VA » Health Care » Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease » Liver Transplant » What's New » For Patients » Liver Transplant: Madison Transplant Center

Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease

Liver Transplant: Madison Transplant Center

for Veterans and the Public

Madison Transplant Center - Liver Transplant for Patients

Liver Transplant

The information in this section refers to the Madison Transplant Center and is only applicable to you if this is your designated transplant site. Please remember that each transplant facility may handle transplantation differently.

Team Members

Much like at your local facility, your transplant facility will have a team of specialists working with you on your liver transplant. This team includes:

Transplant Patient and His/Her Support Person (family/friends)
Transplant Surgeon
Transplant Hepatologist
Transplant Nurse Coordinator
Social Worker
Dietitian
Pharmacist
Psychiatrist
Program Support

Evaluation

Evaluation for Liver Transplant is begun by your Home VA. Several different tests including abdominal and chest imaging, cardiac tests, blood work, dental exams, lung function testing, endoscopies and colonoscopies will be ordered. After these are completed the results will be sent to the transplant team for review. After acceptance for telehealth or onsite evaluation, you will be scheduled within 30 days of referral.

The on-site evaluation is the time when the transplant team assesses you and ensures that you are an acceptable transplant candidate. This takes place in Madison over the course of approximately two days. During this time you will meet all members of the multidisciplinary team including the transplant coordinator, hepatologist, transplant surgeon, social worker, health psychologist, physical therapist, dietician, and pharmacist.

After the evaluation, the transplant team will make a decision about transplant and whether additional testing is required. Upon approval and agreement, you will be placed on the national waiting list for liver transplant. This waiting period can be for days or years.

Lodging Information

Our program allows patients waiting for transplant to continue to reside at home. Depending on distance, patients and their caregivers may either fly or drive to Madison at the time of transplant. The Madison VA offers lodging and transportation for you and their caregiver through contracted hotels and shuttle services near the hospital.

Local Information

The Madison VA is affiliated with the University of Wisconsin of Medicine and Public Health (UW Health). It is physically connected to the University of Wisconsin Clinical Science Center. Madison is the capital of Wisconsin and is geographically unique. The city is built on an isthmus and is surrounded by scenic lakes. These lakes provide access to the public for recreational activities such as skiing, sailing, swimming, fishing or to admire while leisurely walking or cycling around the city and state network of bike trails and paths.

The weather in Madison can be unpredictable no matter the season. Winter (December-March/April) can be long and bitterly cold-pack parkas/boots/mittens and hats. Spring (March/April-June/July) range from 30-70 degrees Fahrenheit-pack rain boots/coats and tennis shoes. Summer (June/July-August/September) hot and humid ranging 70-100 degrees-pack hats/sunglasses and SPF. Fall (September-November) is typically the most enjoyable time in WI with temperatures ranging 60-80 degrees-pack hats/sunglasses/SPF, jeans and light coats.