Frequently Asked Questions

• How does the Total Transplant Care Program (TTCP) work?

  Consenting to participate in the TTCP is a lifetime partnership between the patient and Ohio State’s Comprehensive Transplant Center, with minimal time involvement for the patient.

  1. Patients must give written consent to participate in the TTCP. At a regularly scheduled transplant clinic visit or educational seminar, a TTCP representative will explain the program to the patient, answer questions, and obtain written consent for participation in the TTCP.
  2. Collection of biological samples should take minimal time. Often these are obtained during regularly scheduled clinic visits, procedures or hospital stays. Extra vials of blood may be drawn during routine blood draws and/or excess tissue such may be obtained during surgery in the form of excess tissue from the diseased organ or from a biopsy.
  3. Biological samples are stored in Ohio State’s Comprehensive Transplant Center Human Tissue Biorepository. This is an archive of biological samples that are expertly processed and stored until a researcher can study the samples alongside the patient’s medical record.
  4. Patient privacy will be maintained. All biological samples and medical history data will be coded with a unique identification number and stored in a heavily secured facility, protected within The Ohio State University’s digital network.
  5. Biological samples will only be used for research studies to better understand diseases that cause organ failure and outcomes after transplantation.

• Will participation in the TTCP affect transplant wait list placement?

  Absolutely not. Each patient’s placement on the transplant wait list will remain unchanged with or without participation in the TTCP. A patient’s decision will also have no effect on their relationship with their Ohio State care team or medical treatment. Patients can stop participating in the TTCP at any time. 

• Why participate in the TTCP?

  • There is no cost to the patient to participate and does not require extra doctor visits.
  • Participation in the TTCP allow patients the rare opportunity to directly contribute to the research processes at Ohio State.
  • TTCP participation can help researchers discover new treatments to care for patients with diseases that lead to transplantation and diagnosis/treat infections and rejection following transplantation.

• How to register for the TTCP?

  • Patients interested in learning more or taking part in the TTCP should speak with their doctor at their next transplant clinic visit. Study representatives are available for consultation at many of our clinics.
  • All patient participants will be required to sign a consent form that indicates willingness to take part in the TTCP. 

• Who to contact for more information?

  For any questions or concerns, please contact:
  Brenda Reader, PhD
  CTC Human Tissue Biorepository Manager
  Phone: 614-293-8021
  Email:Brenda.Reader@osumc.edu