Kidney Transplant Patient Evaluations

For those preparing to undergo a kidney transplant, the process can seem daunting. Not only does the fear and anxiety of impending surgery bring stressful feelings, but also the worries of a successful transplant can take an emotional toll.

Our highly trained staff helps patients feel at ease, from the first consultation to the actual transplant to the outpatient follow-up visits at University Hospitals.

Transplant Patient Education

Once a patient is referred to the Kidney Transplant Program at University Hospitals Transplant Institute, an intake coordinator conducts a phone interview with the patient to obtain demographic (address and phone), insurance, and medical information. Once this interview is complete, the patient is scheduled to attend a mandatory education class. The education class is taught by a transplant nurse coordinator and reviews the following:

• Patient selection criteria
• Necessary medical tests
• The kidney transplant waiting list
• Information about the procedure itself
• What to expect during recovery
• The importance of anti-rejection drugs to prevent complications
• Post-transplant follow-up care at UH

Evaluation & Tests

At the Kidney Transplant Program at UH, an extensive evaluation is performed before the patient is added to the transplant waiting list. Common tests include:

• Blood tests
• Diagnostic tests
  • Mammograms and Pap Smears for females
  • Computed tomography (CAT) scan
  • Colonoscopy for patients over age 50
  • PPD (TB skin test)
  • Electrocardiogram (EKG)
  • Chest x-ray

During the evaluation process, several experts in the UH Kidney Transplant Program will meet with the patient. Those expert include:

• Transplant surgeons
• Nephrologists
• Nurse coordinators
• Social workers
• Dietitians
• Other team members (anesthesiologists, hematologists, infectious disease specialists, psychologists)