International Patient Services at TCH Plays Role in Care of Liver Transplant Recipient

Basil Al Rasheedi and his father, Nuran

Three-year-old Basil Al Rasheedi recently returned home to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, marking the end of a remarkable journey in his recovery at Texas Children's Hospital from a metabolic disorder that leads to liver failure.

In May 1999, he received the first split-liver transplant ever performed at the Texas Medical Center.

Dr. John Goss, director of Texas Children's Pediatric Liver Transplant Center, continues to monitor Basil's condition and said his liver is functioning properly, with no sign of rejection.

While the medical staff deserves much credit for restoring Basil's health, a team from Texas Children's international patient services department worked to handle medical and administrative issues for the Al Rasheedi family on a daily basis.

"International patient families require a variety of services beyond medical treatment, and our organization is structured to meet their needs," says Jim Levermann, president of Texas Children's International.

A coordinator kept Basil's extensive medical record file up to date and handled visa extensions and immigration issues. A team of translators served as interpreters for the family. The department also coordinated transportation and housing and set up a personal bank account.

While working with the Al Rasheedis, the international patient services team formed an emotional bond with Basil.

When he first arrived at Texas Children's, Basil waited several months for a liver. Meanwhile, his condition worsened. Dr. Goss and Dr. Philip Seu, director of the Baylor College of Medicine Liver Transplant Program, decided to test Basil's parents for the possibility of a living-related donation. In this procedure, a portion of the parent's liver is transplanted to the child.

Basil's mother, Badrivay, was a match. This good news was short-lived when doctors discovered Badrivay was three weeks pregnant, disqualifying her as a donor.

"Although we were happy to find out Basil would have a baby brother, we were sad for Basil," says Sonjae Vital, assistant director of International Patient Services.

Finally, a liver became available. Goss and Seu successfully split the liver at the donor hospital and transplanted the liver to Basil.

"Our family was given the best of services, from the medical staff to the translators," says Nuran Al Rasheedi. "We became relaxed with their care. They treated my son as if he were one of their own children."

Before they returned to Saudi Arabia, Nuran and Badrivay Al Rasheedi expressed their appreciation to the Texas Children's team by inviting doctors, nurses and the International Patient Services staff to the Feigin Center for a Middle Eastern dinner cooked by Badrivay.

"Everyone was grateful and touched by their generosity," says Vital. "By far, the greatest reward was realizing that all of us at Texas Children's played a major role in Basil's care and that he returned home feeling much better than when he first arrived."

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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