03/25/09

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. --The results are in, and Clarian Transplant remains one of the largest transplant centers in the nation, by volume, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN).

Since 2001, Clarian Transplant has been acknowledged as one of the top transplant centers in the nation, and is now recognized as the fifth largest transplant center for 2008. In addition to the overall position, the pancreas program has been given the number one ranking for a second year.

"We have been given the challenge of striving for preeminence in all that we do at Clarian," said David Alvar, FACHE, administrative director of Clarian Transplant. "Our team has accepted this challenge, and is delivering the best care possible. We performed over 500 transplants last year, which speaks to the experience of our team, however, we are most proud of our quality of care. Our quality is demonstrated not only by waitlist times that are below the national average, but also by survival rates that are above the national average."

In less than 10 years, Clarian has saved and improved the lives of thousands through the miracle of transplantation, and has given hope to countless others across the nation through extensive research to improve organ transplantation. Clarian Transplant physicians are continually looking at new processes and methods to further improve outcomes, including "bridge-to-transplant" research to help people survive longer while waiting for an organ to become available and other research to improve anti-rejection medications.

Clarian Transplant National Rankings:

• Overall Program 5
• Pancreas #1
• Kidney/Pancreas #1
• Intestine #5
• Liver #8
• Kidney #11
• Lung #18
• Heart #57

In 2007, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Division of Transplantation identified Clarian’s transplant program as one of eight programs in the country to be replicated for best practices associated with high rates of organ acceptance and transplantation.

The HRSA site visit allowed Clarian an opportunity to share its clinical outcomes and services with peers, as well as participate in a forum with a national transplant audience to share discoveries. Representatives from several other nationally recognized organ transplant centers, including Mayo Clinic (Florida) and Cleveland Clinic surgeons shared what they learned from Clarian Transplant.

Although nationally recognized, Clarian Transplant is still very committed to Hoosiers. In 2005, Clarian Transplant was awarded a Center of Excellence designation for intestinal transplants. This designation allowed Hoosier patients to be treated close to home, versus needing to go as far away as Florida for the life saving procedure.

Alvar noted, "Clarian has a highly skilled, experienced and aggressive, multidisciplinary transplant team, and we made a commitment to quality. The Indiana Organ Procurement Organization (IOPO) has been an important partner in keeping that commitment. We perform hundreds of transplants, however, without donors we would not be able to perform one. As we enter National Donate Life month, remember there are 1,000 Hoosiers currently waiting for an organ transplant. To become an organ donor, visit clarian.org/transplant to register."

To inquire about Clarian Transplant services, call 800-382-4602.

Clarian Transplant specializes in adult and pediatric transplants, and is the only comprehensive transplant center in Indiana performing lung, heart, liver, kidney, pancreas, intestine and multi-visceral transplants. With the combined research expertise of the Indiana University School of Medicine and Methodist Research Institute, Clarian Transplant is at the forefront of immunosuppressive medications and anti-rejection drug therapies. Find more information about Clarian Transplant or to see more information on U.S. transplant centers visit www.optn.org or www.ustransplant.org.