STORY SUMMARY
children‘s Health offers one of the most experienced pediatric multi-organ transplant programs in the nation, currently ranked among the top two for pediatric liver transplants. Dr. Dev Desai, Director and Chief of Pediatric Transplantation at Children’s Health, discusses in a podcast how the program achieves excellent outcomes through team collaboration, meticulous post-transplant monitoring, and cutting-edge technology. The multidisciplinary team includes specialists in various fields who meet weekly and conduct joint hospital rounds to ensure comprehensive care. Post-transplant care includes regular clinic visits, telehealth consultations, and remote monitoring to minimize patient disruption. Innovative technologies such as secure telehealth iPads and digitized medication sensors enhance patient adherence and overall health tracking. Dr. Desai emphasizes the importance of addressing both medical and psychosocial needs for optimal recovery. For more details, visit children.com/transplant.
VIDEO
FULL STORY
Children’s Health, renowned for its extensive pediatric multi-organ transplant program, has established itself as one of the top two pediatric liver transplant centers in the United States. Dr. Dev Desai, the director and chief of pediatric transplantation at Children’s Health and a professor of surgery at UT Southwestern, underscores the importance of a collaborative, multifaceted approach in delivering superior outcomes. The hospital’s comprehensive care involves a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including hepatologists, infectious disease doctors, ICU physicians, transplant pharmacists, dietitians, psychologists, and child-life specialists. Weekly meetings and coordinated inpatient rounds ensure seamless communication and a holistic treatment plan, which address both medical and psychosocial needs of the patients and their families.
The program meticulously manages patients pre and post-transplantation through regular clinical assessments and advanced telehealth services. Children’s Health’s outreach extends to patients statewide and beyond, facilitating remote monitoring and local clinic visits to minimize the disruption of family routines and children’s schooling. The hospital’s social workers assist families with housing and logistical support in Dallas, ensuring continuous and convenient care. These efforts allow patients to maintain a sense of normalcy by staying in their local environments, participating in regular school and activities, bolstering their overall recovery process.
Innovation plays a critical role at Children’s Health, with pioneering use of telehealth and other cutting-edge technologies. The program was among the first to incorporate telehealth services using secured devices for encrypted communications. Additionally, through a partnership with Proteus Health, digitized medications that monitor intake adherence have been integrated. This device, worn on the patient’s abdomen, sends reminders for missed doses and tracks overall health metrics like steps and heart rate, addressing non-adherence—a key issue in adolescents. These technological advancements ensure that patients remain compliant with their post-transplant care, significantly enhancing long-term outcomes.
