Multi-Organ Transplant Program

Outpatient Clinic

The Transplant Outpatient Clinic, which is located on Level 4 University Hospital, ensures excellent ongoing care for heart and liver transplant recipients following discharge. The Transplant Outpatient Clinic has more than 5,000 visits each year and coordinates outpatient visits, blood tests, and diagnostic tests. As well, many patients are enrolled in clinical studies, and require specific monitoring which is provided by the Transplant Outpatient Clinic.

Many of our transplant recipients do not live in London, but they must remain in the city for several weeks after their transplant for follow-up care. In addition to regularly scheduled visits, the Transplant Outpatient Clinic is unique because it operates on an informal, drop-in basis.

Kidney transplant patients are cared for by the Nephrology Outpatient Clinic, which is located on Level 10 University Hospital. For surgical issues, kidney transplant patients may also be seen at the 8th floor Urology Clinic by Dr. Luke. These clinics provide excellent ongoing care for kidney transplant recipients including blood and diagnostic testing and promotion of healthy lifestyles post transplant.

Residents of Northern Ontario may be eligible for a Northern Health Travel Grant through the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. To be eligible, the one-way road distance to the nearest physician specialist or facility in Ontario or Manitoba where the service can be provided must be at least 100 kilometres. Travel grants do not cover all of patients' travel expenses but they can help defray the overall cost of the trip. Further information and application for Northern Health Travel Grant is available on-line.

Patients, recently discharged from hospital, can maintain a link with the hospital, and receive support and information as they integrate themselves back into the community. Physicians, nurse practitioners, and other members of the transplant team assess all test results that are sent to both Clinics, and they contact patients as necessary to adjust drug doses, enquire about symptoms, and provide medical advice. It is preferred for transplant patients to have their lab work drawn at Lifelabs because results arrive more reliably and efficiently on our computer system.

We encourage you to keep track of all your medications, using the Self-Medication Form. You can download this form to your computer (Word document) to fill in electronically or you can print the form (pdf) to complete by hand. Either way, we want you to bring your up-to-date, completed forms to every clinic visit. Here's a sample of what your form might look like, depending on the medications you're taking.

Transplant recipients often have questions about receiving immunizations, especially "the flu shot". Recipients may have the flu shot if they are more than six months post transplant. Transplant recipients should not receive any live vaccines. For a list of vaccinations that are allowed and for those you should not receive, read this summary.

Dental care is important and we recommend that you see your dentist every six months for at least the first two years after your transplant. Prior to dental procedures, transplant recipients need to take preventative antibiotics. You can print a copy of the antibiotic routine for dental procedures, and take this to your dentist if needed.

Once patients return home, they visit their local doctors for medical care, including regular blood tests to monitor their anti-rejection drugs. Our program is indebted to countless community specialists and family practitioners who provide diligent and timely care for our patients. Also, some of our physicians and surgeons travel to distant communities and hospitals, like Sudbury and Windsor, to run clinics and to provide care for transplant patients.