ALERT CONTENT PLACEHOLDER

​When You Are Called In

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Once a lung(s) becomes available, you will receive a call from a Transplant Coordinator. The call for a transplant may come at any time of the day or night.​​

The transplant coordinator on-call will call three numbers that are ranked. They could include:

  1. Home phone number
  2. Alternate phone numbers, such as a cell phone number number
  3. A relative's number

The coordinator will as​k you a few questions:

  • How are you feeling?
  • Do you have any symptoms of a cold or fever?
  • Are you taking any antibiotics?
  • Have you had any new medications prescribed?

If there are no concerns about your current health, they will ask you to come to the hospital as soon as possible. We expect you to arrive at the hospital within 3 hours after you are called in for a lung transplant. The coordinator will tell you where to go once you arrive at the hospital.

  • Do not drink from this point on.
  • You can take your medication, with a small amount of water. It is OK to take your puffers.
  • Diabetics should not take their insulin or diabetic pills before they come in because your blood sugar may drop without anything to eat or drink. Your blood sugar will be checked when you get to the hospital.
  • If you refuse to come in when called for transplant, you will immediately be placed on hold and we must contact your transplant coordinator to discuss your situation.
  • Time is critical when your lung(s) becomes available. The coordinator will call all your contact numbers repeatedly for 1 hour. Messages will be left where answering machines are available. If they cannot reach you, another recipient must be chosen.
  • If you are unable to reach the person who calls you, are delayed due to weather or traffic contact the Transplant Ward at 416 340 5163; ask to speak to the Charge Nurse.
  • Before you leave home, please remove all your jewellery. Please also remove all body piercings (ears, nose, tongue and belly button) before you leave home.
  • You are responsible for arranging your own transportation to the hospital.​
  • If you decline to come in when called for transplant, you will immediately be placed on hold and must contact your Transplant Coordinator to discuss your situation.

What should I bring when I am called in?
  • Your health card (OHIP card), or another form of government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport.
  •  Any other insurance cards. You will need the policy number of your extended health insurance, if you have any.
  • Your spouse/partner, a trusted friend or family member.
  • A list of your medications
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What if I am called in as a back-up?

In some cases, you may be called in as a back-up. This happens when there is a chance that the primary person may not receive the lung(s). Whenever possible, we will try to have you stay at home during this waiting period for final tests. If tests show that the primary person on the list is not a good match, then you, as the back-up, will be given the lung(s).

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Will my transplant be cancelled?

There is a chance that your lung transplant could be cancelled. Your surgery can be cancelled for a few reasons:

  • We may have found the donor lungs unsuitable for transplant at the last minute.
  • One of your tests may have an unusual result and the operation cannot safely proceed.
  • In some cases, there may be an issue in matching an organ to a recipient.

If your transplant is cancelled, you and your family may feel shock, disappointment, and sadness. All of these feelings are normal. You should call your Transplant Coordinator to talk about any concerns you have about a cancellation. You are still on the transplant wait list and now know what to expect the next time you are called in.
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