What to Expect

Get Evaluated – The referral process can happen in two ways:

1. If you have not started dialysis, you can be referred to transplant centers by your nephrologist.
2. If you have started dialysis, you can be referred to transplant centers by your dialysis unit social worker. Once your referral is received by a transplant center you are then scheduled for a medical and psychosocial evaluation with the transplant center.

What Happens After the Evaluations?

After completing your medical and psychosocial evaluations, the transplant treatment team will determine if you are an appropriate candidate for kidney transplant. Each treatment center has their own requirements for their program. Please inquire about the program requirements during your evaluations. If you are considered to be an eligible candidate by treatment center, you will be notified by the treatment center by phone call or letter. Patients can be listed at multiple transplant centers, however; patients will need to choose which center they would like to move forward with for surgery.

Now You’re Listed, What’s Next?

Once you are listed as a kidney transplant candidate, you will be placed on the National Organ transplant waitlist managed by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). While you are accruing wait time, you can plan and prepare for transplant by: continuing to follow up with medical appointments, develop a caregiver plan for post transplant, and identify healthy support systems to help you throughout this process.