Breaking News:

HEALTH

Intermountain Health announces great strides in number of organ transplants

Jan 13, 2025, 1:57 PM | Updated: 2:42 pm

Statistics about Intermountain Health’s liver transplants are shown while Dr. Richard Gilroy, tra...

Statistics about Intermountain Health’s liver transplants are shown while Dr. Richard Gilroy, transplant hepatologist and Intermountain Health's liver transplant medical director, speaks to media during a press conference announcing the successful transplanting of 489 organs in 2024 by Intermountain Health, at the Intermountain Kem C. Gardner Transformation Center in Murray on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Brice Tucker, Deseret News)

(Brice Tucker, Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY — There was a significant increase in organ transplants performed at Intermountain Health in 2024. This increase continues a six-year trend at Intermountain.

The increase occurred in both live and deceased organ donations from across the United States.

Related: Intermountain Health: Seeing hospital food as medicine

According to Dr. Richard Gilroy, Intermountain’s liver transplant medical director, one of the largest increases was in living kidney and liver donations.

“That allows the recipient to grow a full liver,” Gilroy said, “and that donor’s liver will grow back to be exactly the same size as it was.” Gilroy specializes in liver transplants.

The Intermountain Health Adult Transplant program conducted 489 organ transplants in 2024. Six years ago, that number was 190.

The increase is due in part to Intermountain’s short wait times. In a press release, Intermountain said their kidney transplant program “has one of the shortest wait times in the nation.” The average wait is 109 days from the time the request is listed to the transplant date.

Intermountain said that patients in other U.S. transplant programs can wait from three to five years. For those needing a liver transplant, Intermountain’s median wait time is 22 days.

Cutting-edge technology

The use of new technology is another reason that Intermountain has greatly increased its number of organ transplants. In a press release, Intermountain said it was the “first in Utah last year to use a new state-of-the-art organ-saving device.”

This device impacts the viability of an organ that has been donated, keeping it in “a near-physiological state outside the body that enhances successful transplantation.”

The agency’s liver transplant program has benefitted significantly from the new tech. Intermountain representatives said the new methods contributed to a 385% growth in liver transplants between 2018 and 2024.

The good samaritans

When a person donates an organ or portion of an organ, it’s called a non-directed donation. Gilroy said he especially appreciates these good samaritans.

“The one I love the most, hearing about and participating in, are the good samaritans. Where individuals in the community, with no connection to the individual who needs their life saved, stands up and offers a piece of their liver to save someone else.”

Gilroy encourages people to tell their families if they intend to be organ donors. He credits greater understanding by the public for some of Intermountain’s success.

The need for organ donation is great. According to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, more than 103,000 people are on a waiting list. 

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Health

FILE - People wave signs to passing cars during a pro-transgender rights protest outside of Seattle...

LEA SKENE Associated Press

Federal judge pauses President Trump’s order restricting gender-affirming care for trans youth

Trumps order blocks support for gender-affirming health care for transgender people under age 19.

17 hours ago

A bill that would have eliminated cost-sharing from follow-up breast cancer examinations is now on ...

Allessandra Harris Gurr

Utah bill to expand breast cancer coverage put on hold

A bill that would have eliminated cost-sharing from follow-up breast cancer examinations is now on hold.

1 day ago

Respiratory illnesses such as the flu, COVID-19, and RSV are on the rise across the U.S....

Michelle Lee

Simple ways to keep respiratory illnesses away

Let’s Get Moving Host Maria Shilaos spoke with Nicole Henry with CVS to learn what we can do to protect ourselves from respiratory illnesses.

5 days ago

Kaysville City officials confirmed that the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District had added water ...

Simone Seikaly

Kaysville City tells residents why water smells like chlorine

Weber officials recently added water from groundwater wells, which, because of extra processing, created the chlorine smell.

7 days ago

wegovy, one of many weight loss drugs...

Allessandra Harris Gurr

Popular weight loss drugs may play a factor in vision loss, review shows

Ingredients in popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Mounjaro may play a role in vision complications, such as eye stroke.

8 days ago

The Weber County Animal Shelter reported it had to euthanize at least 18 dogs after a canine parvov...

Simone Seikaly

Parvovirus outbreak leads to euthanizations at Weber County Animal Services

The Weber County Animal Shelter said it had to euthanize at least 18 dogs that had been vaccinated but contracted parvovirus anyway.

10 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Filing taxes online using a computer...

The Law Offices of Jordan F. Wilcox

Tax time is approaching. What to do if you have debilitating IRS debt

Is the IRS threatening you with wage garnishment, asset seizure or business closure? Here are some ideas to resolve your tax dilemma.

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

Intermountain Health announces great strides in number of organ transplants