Kidney Transplant
The Center for Organ Transplantation at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center is the leading provider of transplant services in southern New Jersey. Since 1974, our staff of doctors, nurse coordinators, social workers and other specialists have been giving individuals the best care possible before, during and after kidney transplant surgery.
The United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) maintains a national list of organ transplant candidates. When an organ becomes available, candidates who are listed with that region's organ procurement organization (OPO) are given top priority. To increase the chances of receiving an organ, patients can be listed at more than one transplant center as long as they are affiliated with a different OPO. For example, patients can be listed with both Lourdes, which is affiliated with the Sharing Network, as well as any of the Philadelphia hospitals that provide transplant services, which are affiliated with the Gift of Life organization.
Sources of Organs
Today, more than 91,000 people in the United States are on waiting lists for organ transplants. Organs for kidney transplantation come from two sources, deceased or living donors.The current waiting time for a suitable deceased donor organ can be years. Transplants involving a living donor can reduce the waiting time.
Living donors can be:
- Related (brothers, sisters, parents, children over age 18 and other blood relatives);
- Unrelated (spouses, in-law relatives, friends, acquaintances, etc.)
What to Expect
Patients with various end-stage renal diseases or who are dependent on dialysis are candidates for transplant surgery. Any person on dialysis or approaching dialysis can be evaluated for a kidney transplant. Physicians, nurses or other health care professionals can refer patients or you can self refer.During the initial appointment, a series of tests will be performed, and patients and their families will meet with members of the Lourdes transplant team. Potential donor(s) can be evaluated at the same time or during a separate visit.
The evaluation includes:
- Meetings with a surgeon, transplant coordinator nurse, social worker, dietitian, finance manger and other specialists;
- An overall physical checkup;
- Blood tests;
- A chest X-ray;
- A review of current and past medications;
- Other tests as necessary.
