Top hospitals performing the most lung transplants

Which hospitals do the most lung transplants?

In 2024, Cleveland Clinic Main Campus performed the highest percentage of lung transplants in the U.S., accounting for 13.51% of transplants analyzed. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus is one of the largest hospitals in the country by bed count. It also performs a high percentage of liver transplants and kidney transplants.

The hospital that performed the second highest number of lung transplants by percentage is Stanford Hospital, accounting for 8.84% of U.S. lung transplants in 2024. Affiliated with Stanford University, the hospital is recognized for its academic excellence and pioneering research, which likely contributes to its notable contribution to lung replacement. Stanford Hospital is also a top hospital in California based on net patient revenue, number of staffed beds, and patient discharges. The hospital also performs a high volume of heart transplants.

Rounding out the top three is William P Clements Jr University Hospital. The facility accounts for 6.80% of lung transplants analyzed in 2024.

What are lung transplant centers?

Lung transplant centers are specialized medical facilities equipped with the expertise, infrastructure, and resources necessary to perform lung transplant surgeries and provide comprehensive care for patients before, during, and after the procedure.

These hospitals and centers typically consist of multidisciplinary teams comprising transplant surgeons, pulmonologists, transplant coordinators, nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals who collaborate to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients undergoing lung transplantation.

The primary functions of lung transplant centers include:

Evaluation and selection

Lung transplant centers assess candidates for transplantation to determine their suitability for the procedure based on medical history, severity of lung disease, overall health status, and other factors. This evaluation process involves extensive testing and consultations to identify individuals who are most likely to benefit from transplantation and have the best chances of successful outcomes.

Transplant surgery

Lung transplant hospitals and centers perform lung replacement surgical procedures, which involve removing the diseased lungs from the recipient and replacing them with healthy donor lungs. This complex procedure requires highly skilled surgeons and specialized facilities, such as operating rooms equipped with advanced surgical equipment and technology.

Post-transplant care

After the transplant surgery, lung transplant centers provide comprehensive post-operative care and ongoing monitoring to ensure the health and well-being of transplant recipients. This includes managing immunosuppressive medications to prevent organ rejection, monitoring complications, and providing support services to help patients adapt to life with a new lung.

Follow-up and long-term management

Lung transplant centers maintain long-term relationships with transplant recipients, providing follow-up care, regular monitoring, and support to address any issues or concerns that may arise after transplantation. This ongoing management is essential for optimizing outcomes and promoting the long-term success of the transplant.

Overall, lung transplant centers play a critical role in the care of patients with end-stage lung disease by offering the opportunity for life-saving transplantation and providing comprehensive, specialized care throughout the transplant journey.

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