Lung Transplant

The Hamilton Satelite Lung Transplant Program provides primarily pre-lung outpatient lung transplant care. We are a satellite lung transplant program of Toronto Lung Transplant Program, serving patients connected to the Firestone Institute of Respiratory Health as well as those that live within Hamilton-Niagara-Haldimand-Brant, Waterloo-Wellington and other areas of southwestern Ontario. 

For any outpatient lung transplant referrals, the required referral form and documentation must continue to be sent to the Toronto Lung Transplant Program so that the appropriate documentation can be initiated with our transplant partners. The referral form is available here. Referral forms and the necessary documentation can be emailed (lungtxreferral@uhn.ca) or faxed (416-340-4044).

Referrals should include the following:

• Clinical notes and a list of current medications
• Full Pulmonary Function Testing
• 6 Minute Walk Test
• CT Chest (within the last 12 months)
• Echocardiogram (within the last 6 months)

For patients over the age of 40, we will often request nuclear cardiac stress testing within the last 2 years (i.e. Persantine MIBI or Dobutamine MIBI) to be arranged to best assess the patient’s candidacy for transplant.

Active smoking of any substance within 6 months is a contraindication to lung transplantation. Patients should be abstinent of inhaled substances for at least 3 months prior to referral. A Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 35 is a contraindication to consultation.

If you feel there are extenuating circumstances or access issues pertinent to the required information or contraindications to the above, please outline on the referral form to be reviewed. 

For any inpatient referrals from St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton or Hamilton Health Sciences, please contact Dr Ciaran Scallan to discuss this case (905-522-1155 ext 34726).

For any other inpatient referrals, please contact the Lung Transplant physician on-call through Toronto General Hospital/UHN paging (416-340-3155).

A Respirology Fellowship in Lung Transplantation is offered through the University of Toronto and University Health Network. This fellowship offers the experience to develop expertise in the clinical and research aspects of lung transplantation. 

The Transplant Journey

Patients who may benefit from lung transplantation will be initially seen by a Physician Assistant and/or Physician in the Hamilton Satellite Lung Transplant Program to discuss lung transplantation as a potential treatment option. 

If appropriate, a full assessment will take place to see if transplantation would be a good treatment option. During an assessment, you will also meet members of the UHN Lung Transplant team.

If you are deemed to be an acceptable transplant candidate, you will then be listed for lung transplant. Lung transplant candidates are cared for in a shared care model between the Toronto Lung Transplant Program and the Hamilton Satellite Lung Transplant Program. 

Transplant surgeries continue to occur at UHN. All post-transplant care is arranged at the direction of Toronto Lung Transplant Program.

Who You Will Meet on your Transplant Journey

At the Hamilton Satellite Lung Transplant Program, our team consists of the following members:

Transplant Respirologist: Cares for people with advanced lung disease and has specialized training in lung transplantation. They will meet with you to discuss your transplant candidacy and are part of your transplant journey, alongside your primary/referring Respirologist and your Family Doctor.

Physician Assistant (PA)* and Clinical Coordinator: Cares for people with advanced lung disease alongside the Transplant Respirologist and coordinates your transplant assessment/evaluation, ordering the necessary test for your assessment, providing education to you and your support team about the tests you will undergo and reviewing your results with you. 

*Physician Assistants PAs are healthcare professionals who work in collaboration with physicians and other healthcare providers to deliver patient care. They work under the supervision of licensed physicians, but they possess the autonomy to perform a wide range of clinical tasks and procedures.

Medical Secretary: Assists in coordinating testing and appointments and can answer questions during your lung transplant journey. They are not able to offer medical advice, but work closely with the Transplant Respirologist and Physician Assistant to ensure your questions and concerns are addressed.

Overall, lung transplant care involves a multidisciplinary team, including (but not limited to):

• Respirologists
• Anesthetists
• Thoracic Surgeons
• Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners
• Physiotherapists
• Transplant Coordinators (who are Registered Nurses) 
• Social Workers
• Dietitians