Kidney Transplant
Below is additional information on what to expect as a kidney transplant patient
1. Kidney transplantation is not a cure, but can be the best treatment for most patients with ESRD (end-stage renal disease) on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis or if a person has kidney function (eGFR) of less than 20 mL/min.
2. Once a patient is on the waiting list, they can be called at any time for an offer of an organ match. A patient may turn down an offer without penalty, however, it’s important to know that there is no way to know for certain when another offer will present itself.
3. Patients are expected to notify their transplant coordinator of any medical changes to their health status, including new hospitalizations, infections, surgeries, cardiovascular events (e.g. heart attacks, strokes, etc.), and blood transfusions. Patients on the list will be seen yearly or, if marked as high risk, every six months.
4. The decision to proceed with the kidney transplant is based on a multidisciplinary approach between transplant nephrologists and surgeons, once all of the patient and organ information is present, including pump numbers and kidney transplant biopsies.
5. After the transplant surgery, the expectation is to have immediate organ function, but at times recovery can be slow and all recipients should understand that the kidney may take a while before opening up. This means that the patient may require dialysis over a short period of time.
6. All patients or their health care companion must learn their medications prior to discharge.
7. Upon discharge some patients may require home health visits to try to help them recover quicker at home and address any immediate needs such as managing their medications, blood pressure assessments, and wound checks.
8. Frequent visits and lab checks are required within the first month post-transplant. Labs will be held twice a week along with weekly clinic visits. This is in addition to any dialysis sessions that may be required if the kidney has not opened up. Once the transplant physician feels that the kidney is doing well dialysis will seize and both the patient and their primary nephrologist will be notified.
9. If the recipient is still on dialysis by the third week post transplantation, a protocol biopsy will be performed as an outpatient procedure, unless it is determined by the transplant team that the patient should be admitted into the hospital.
10. Every effort will be made to try to accommodate the patient’s quick and safe return home, even if the patient does not live within South Florida. Departure will completely depend on the patient’s kidney function and health after their transplant.
11. Medications must be taken as prescribed and not be missed, especially anti-rejection medications. Any issues must be immediately communicated to the patient’s transplant nurse coordinator or provider.
12. Any change in the patient’s health status post transplantation should be alerted to their transplant nurse coordinator. This includes: fever, drop or rise in blood pressure, shortness of breath, chest pain, ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, increase in pain over the surgery site, secretions from the wound, bloody urine or pain upon urination, and/or diminishing or seizing of all urination.
Description
1. Kidney transplantation is not a cure, but can be the best treatment for most patients with ESRD (end-stage renal disease) on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis or if a person has kidney function (eGFR) of less than 20 mL/min.
2. Once a patient is on the waiting list, they can be called at any time for an offer of an organ match. A patient may turn down an offer without penalty, however, it’s important to know that there is no way to know for certain when another offer will present itself.
3. Patients are expected to notify their transplant coordinator of any medical changes to their health status, including new hospitalizations, infections, surgeries, cardiovascular events (e.g. heart attacks, strokes, etc.), and blood transfusions. Patients on the list will be seen yearly or, if marked as high risk, every six months.
4. The decision to proceed with the kidney transplant is based on a multidisciplinary approach between transplant nephrologists and surgeons, once all of the patient and organ information is present, including pump numbers and kidney transplant biopsies.
5. After the transplant surgery, the expectation is to have immediate organ function, but at times recovery can be slow and all recipients should understand that the kidney may take a while before opening up. This means that the patient may require dialysis over a short period of time.
6. All patients or their health care companion must learn their medications prior to discharge.
7. Upon discharge some patients may require home health visits to try to help them recover quicker at home and address any immediate needs such as managing their medications, blood pressure assessments, and wound checks.
8. Frequent visits and lab checks are required within the first month post-transplant. Labs will be held twice a week along with weekly clinic visits. This is in addition to any dialysis sessions that may be required if the kidney has not opened up. Once the transplant physician feels that the kidney is doing well dialysis will seize and both the patient and their primary nephrologist will be notified.
9. If the recipient is still on dialysis by the third week post transplantation, a protocol biopsy will be performed as an outpatient procedure, unless it is determined by the transplant team that the patient should be admitted into the hospital.
10. Every effort will be made to try to accommodate the patient’s quick and safe return home, even if the patient does not live within South Florida. Departure will completely depend on the patient’s kidney function and health after their transplant.
11. Medications must be taken as prescribed and not be missed, especially anti-rejection medications. Any issues must be immediately communicated to the patient’s transplant nurse coordinator or provider.
12. Any change in the patient’s health status post transplantation should be alerted to their transplant nurse coordinator. This includes: fever, drop or rise in blood pressure, shortness of breath, chest pain, ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, increase in pain over the surgery site, secretions from the wound, bloody urine or pain upon urination, and/or diminishing or seizing of all urination.
