Outcomes analysis for 50 liver transplant recipients: the Vanderbilt experience

Healthcare reform has mandated scrutiny of the fiscal aspects of patient care as well as medical outcomes. Therefore, we reviewed our experience with 50 liver transplant recipients from a multidisciplinary collaborative transplant team. From February 1991 to July 1994, of 175 patients referred, 75 were formally evaluated for transplantation; 56 (76%) of these patients were accepted for transplantation; 50 patients underwent 53 transplants. Operative mortality of 6 per cent, retransplantation rate of 6 per cent, 6-month actuarial survival of 88 per cent, 1-year survival of 86 per cent, and the 2 and 3-year survival of 83 per cent were unchanged over time. Quality of life evaluated by the Karnofsky Performance Status was a mean of 55 pretransplant, 72 at 3 months, 79 at 6 months, 84 at 1 year, 88 at 2 years, and 95 at 3 years, demonstrating improved general health and functional rehabilitation after transplantation. Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale scores demonstrated significant improvement following transplantation, improving most dramatically in the vocation environment, domestic environment, and sexual relationship domains. Postoperative length of stay has declined with an average of 28 days in 1991, 22 days in 1992, 19 days in 1993, and 14 days in 1994. Average total hospital, organ procurement, and physician charges for the transplantation hospitalization was $165,000. Average 91-92 hospital charges were $154,000 and were reduced in 93-95 to $103,000 (P < .05). We found that charges and length of stay decreased over time, while the outcome and quality of patient care was maintained. We believe the collaborative practice, case management, and revised patient care protocols are responsible.