All kidney failure patients who are referred to our program are thoroughly evaluated to determine whether a kidney transplant is the most appropriate treatment for their condition and goals.
Once the care team and the patient have committed to pursuing transplantation as a treatment, a comprehensive series of screenings will be scheduled to determine whether the patient is indeed a suitable candidate for a new kidney. In most cases, the entire multidisciplinary evaluation can be completed in a single day.
Transplant Clinic Evaluation
This thorough one-day evaluation involves the patient, their family, and our entire kidney transplant team – surgeons, nephrologists, nurses, social workers, dietitians, and other medical professionals. The purpose of this process is to determine whether there are any physical and/or psychosocial conditions that could affect the chances of having a successful transplant and to give the patient and their family an opportunity to learn more about our program.
Your visit will include:
- Medical history
- Physical exam
- X-rays
- Blood tests
- Meetings with a surgeon, nephrologist, RN coordinator, social worker, and financial coordinator
For patients with complex medical conditions, a one-day evaluation may not be possible, in which case we will work with you to schedule follow-up testing as needed. Following the examinations, our multidisciplinary team will discuss the evaluation in a committee format. A physician or transplant nurse coordinator will provide the committee’s recommendation as to whether transplantation may be a good choice.
For more details about what takes place before a kidney transplant, please read our program's Pre-Transplant Handbook.
