Our Services

Transplantation Coordination in Riverside Nephrology

Transplant Coordinator Responsibilities:

In transplantation coordination the transplant coordinator coordinates the preparation and evaluation of organ transplant patients and the long-term care of transplant patients. In order to ensure continuity of patient care, the Coordinator coordinates patient care in multiple areas, including the transplant office, outpatient clinic, inpatient nursing unit, community outreach clinics, and the transplant office. This position is responsible for the initial assessment of transplant-eligible patients and their follow-up care. These duties could be done in hospitals or outreach clinics. Because of logistical and clinical issues, many problems encountered can be very complex. Referring to program directors, subject matter experts or references can resolve most problems. Problem-solving and applying the appropriate therapies and interventions to patients and their problems requires a lot of innovation and analysis. Although general supervision and direction is provided, the transplant coordinator retains full control over decisions made within department policies and guidelines, many of which are not written. The duties of the transplant coordinator require the involvement of many people, both internal and external. Patients, their families, nurses, pharmacists and social workers are all part of the hospital. Physicians (both house and faculty) are also involved in the operation.

There is also ongoing interaction with community physicians, dialysis staff and outreach clinic staff, pharmacists, lab personnel, pharmaceutical representatives, medical directors, case managers from insurance companies, and other staff. It is essential to have organizational skills. The coordinator must not only be able plan and schedule his/her daily schedule but also prioritize clinical issues and manage multiple patients at different stages of the transplant process, including those who are awaiting transplantation, long-term post-transplant patients, and inpatients at UW Health. The program’s local network requires computer software to access information such as patient problems lists, lab profiles, and clinical research databases. The Transplant Coordinator must be competent in managing patients with kidney and hepatic disease, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and other conditions related to transplantation. They should be skilled in managing immunosuppression, including adverse reactions and drug interactions.

Major Responsibilities of Transplant Coordinator:

The incumbent is responsible for the following duties:

Direct patient care:

Interview potential transplant patients and their families before deciding to proceed with the transplant process. Interpret eligibility criteria for patients and their families.
Collaborate with other medical personnel to prepare patients and families for transplantation.
Coordinate pre-transplant preparations.
Educate families and patients about all aspects of transplantation.
Talk to third-party payers about issues such as medical necessity and benefits coverage.
Talk to third-party payers about issues such as medical necessity and benefits coverage.
Plan and educate post-discharge for transplant patients
Collect and review post-discharge information for the clinical management of transplant patients.
Direct care for transplant patients at the Outpatient Transplant Clinic.
Provide continuity of care between outpatient visits and inpatient admissions.
Collaboration with other transplant coordinators, nurses, and medical faculty at Riversie Nephrology Physicians Inc. DESCRIPTION is key to meeting the needs of patients and their families.
Based on Riverside Nephrology Transplant Program guidelines, select the right patients for organ transplantation.
Telephone consultation and follow-up to patients and their families. This involves the ability to identify and treat patient symptoms and problems, as well as to apply the appropriate medical interventions and transplant protocols and to interpret them to community doctors and other health professionals who are involved in the care and treatment of transplant patients.
Coordinate and implement education, selection, preparation, and coordination for kidney donation.
On-call service available for items 12-14 during the hours that the Clinic and transplant office are closed.

Program Development by Transplant Coordinator:

Research in Transplantation Coordination:

Professional Perormance and Effectiveness:

Education in Transplantation Coordination:

Consultation:

Consult with Riverside Nephrology Coordinator Medical Faculty and other doctors, nurses, or other health care professionals that provide organ transplant care.
Consult with Riverside Nephrology Medical Faculty and other doctors, nurses, or other health care professionals that provide organ transplant care.
Send patient status reports to the community as well as referring doctors
Prepare data and information for Riverside Nephrology Physicians center of Excellence applications.
For fiscal affairs and Riverside Nephrology Pysicians, Inc.

What is Kidney Transplantation?

Kidney transplantation is a surgical procedure used to insert a healthy kidney of deceased or living donors into someone with kidneys that are no longer functioning correctly.

They are organs that look like beans situated on either side of the spine, just beneath the rib cage. Each one is approximately the size of a fist. They are designed to remove minerals and waste from the bloodstream by producing urine.

If your kidneys cease to have this filtering capability the harmful levels of waste and fluids build up within your body. This can increase blood pressure and lead to renal failure (end-stage kidney disease). End-stage renal diseases occur when kidneys have lost approximately 90 percent of the capacity to function normally.

Common causes of end-stage kidney disease are:

Here at Riverside Nephrology, health care experts who have been trained in various medical specialties work as a team in order to ensure positive outcomes from the kidney transplant.

All the subspecialized knowledge all in one place that is focused on you ensures that you’re not receiving one opinion — the treatment plan is discussed among the group and your results from tests are readily available and appointments are made in conjunction and your transplant care team can work together to decide the best option for you.

Why is it done?

A kidney transplantation is typically the first option for kidney failure, in contrast with dialysis by Transplant Coordinator for a lifetime. A kidney transplant is a treatment for chronic renal disease as well as end-stage renal diseases to make you feel better and last longer.

In contrast to dialysis, kidney transplants are connected to:

Certain people could also benefit from a kidney transplant before having dialysis. This is a procedure referred to as a preemptive renal transplant.

For certain patients with kidney problems, a kidney transplant is riskier than dialysis. The conditions that could make you unfit for a kidney transplant are:

Any other factors that might hinder the ability of a patient to undergo the procedure as well as take the necessary medications following the transplant in order to prevent organ rejection

One kidney can be required to replace two failing kidneys. This makes living-donor kidney transplants a viable possibility.

If a suitable living donor isn’t found and your name is put on the list of kidney transplant recipients to get the kidney of a deceased donor.

The length of time you must wait to receive the organ of a deceased donor depends on the degree of match to the donor’s compatibility, the time on dialysis as well as on the waitlist for transplants, and your expected survival after the transplant. Certain people are matched within a few months, while others might wait for several years.

Our specialists have pioneered a variety of procedures, such as living-donor kidney transplants as well as kidney transplants prior to dialysis becoming required. Our Riverside Nephrology Physician Inc. kidney transplant team has a vast knowledge of the most difficult forms of kidney transplantation including positive crossmatch, ABO-incompatible, and paired donor kidney transplants.

Who donates the kidney?

Kidney donors could be dead or living.

Living donors

Because the body functions flawlessly with only one kidney in good health, someone with two kidneys in good health may opt to donate one to you.

If a family member’s blood and tissues match your blood and tissues, it is possible to plan an appointment for a planned donation.

The option of receiving a kidney from an individual in your family is an alternative. It lowers the chance that your body might reject the kidney and also allows you to skip the long waiting list for a deceased donor.

Donors who died

Donors who have died are known as donors from cadavers. They are those who have passed away, typically due to an accident and not an illness. The donor or family members may have decided to donate their organs or tissues.

The body’s immune system is more likely a kidney that comes from donors who are not related to you. However, a cadaver kidney can be a viable option in the absence of an immediate family member or a friend who is willing or able to give a kidney.

The process of matching

When you’re undergoing your assessment for the possibility of a transplant, you’ll undergo tests for blood to identify what is your blood types (A B, A, or O) and also your Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA). HLA is a family of antigens found in the outer layer of the white blood cells. Antigens play a role in the immune response of your body.

If your HLA type is similar to that of the donor’s you are more likely to find that your body will not be able to reject kidneys. Everyone has six antigens, with three for each of their biological parents. The more antigens you possess that match the ones that of your donor better the likelihood of an effective transplant.

When a possible donor has been discovered, you’ll require a second test to ensure that your antibodies don’t inflict harm on the organ of the donor. This is accomplished by mixing a tiny amount from your blood and the blood of the donor.

The transplant isn’t possible if your blood develops antibodies in reaction to the donor’s blood.

If your blood doesn’t show any antibodies, you’ve got what’s known as”a “negative crossmatch.” This signifies that the transplant can be carried out.

What is the procedure for a kidney transplant carried out?

Your physician can arrange the transplant before the time of the procedure if you’re receiving an organ from living donors.

If you’re waiting on a dead donor that’s close to matching the type of tissue you have it is essential to be ready to rush to the hospital in a flash if a donor is discovered. A majority of transplant hospitals offer individuals pagers and cell phones so they can reach them shortly.

When you get to the center for transplants at the transplant center, you’ll have to submit the blood sample to undergo the antibody test. The procedure will be approved in the event of an unfavorable crossmatch.

A kidney transplant can be performed with general anesthesia. This means that you are given a medication that will put you in a state of sleep during the procedure. The anesthetic is instilled into your body using the intracavate (IV) line that is placed in your arm or hand.

When you’re sleeping, the doctor makes an incision inside your abdomen. They then place the donated kidney inside. After that, they connect the veins and arteries that originate from your kidney with the veins and arteries. This causes blood to begin flowing through the kidney.

Your doctor may also add the new kidney’s urinary tract to your bladder so that you’re in a position to urinate regularly. The Ureter is the tube that connects your kidney with your bladder.

The doctor will take away the original kidneys inside your body unless they’re creating issues, like high blood pressure or an infection.

After Care According to Transplant Coordinator

Then you’ll be in a hospital recovery room. The hospital staff will be monitoring your vital signs until they are certain that you’re stable and awake. After that, they’ll move you to a hospital bed.

If you’re not feeling well after the procedure (many individuals do) you’ll likely be required to remain in the hospital for at least a week following surgery.

Your new kidney might begin to remove waste from your body right away, but it could take several weeks before it is functioning. Kidneys donated by relatives typically begin to function faster than those donated by an unrelated and deceased donor.

There’s a chance that you’ll experience an amount of discomfort and soreness close to the area of the incision while you’re healing. In the hospital, the doctors will keep an eye on you for signs of problems. They’ll also set you up on an exact schedule of immunosuppressant medication to prevent the body’s rejection of your new kidney. You’ll have to take these medicines each day to keep that your body’s immune system from rejecting kidney donors.

When your departure from the hospital the transplant team will provide you specific instructions regarding what and when to take your medication. Be sure to follow the instructions and make sure to ask as many questions as you need to. The doctor will also develop an appointment schedule for you to follow following surgery.

When you’re discharged from the hospital and you’re free to go back to work, you’ll be required to keep regular visits for your organ transplant group, so they can determine how your kidney’s functioning is.

It is essential to take your medication for immunosuppressant according to the directions. Your physician may prescribe additional medications to decrease the chance of contracting an infection. Additionally, you’ll need lookout for symptoms that indicate your body is rejecting kidneys. They include pain, swelling as well as flu-like signs.

You’ll have to check in frequently with your physician for the first 1 to 2 months following surgery. Recovery can take between one and six months.

What are the dangers of an organ transplant?

The kidney transplant procedure is significant. This means it is a danger of:

Potential Risks

The biggest risk associated with an organ transplant is the possibility that your body will reject the kidney. But, it’s very unlikely that your body denies the donor’s kidney.

It is estimated that the Mayo Clinic estimates that 90 percent of transplant recipients who receive organs from living donors survive longer than five years following surgery. Around 82 percent of the people who receive kidneys from deceased donors survive for five years following the surgery.

If you notice any discomfort around the site of incision or an increase in the amount of urine you drink notify the transplant team know immediately. If your body is unable to accept the kidney transplant then you can restart dialysis, and then be put on the waiting list to receive a new kidney once you’ve been examined again.

The anti-inflammatory drugs you have to use following surgery could cause unwanted side effects too. This could include:

If you have any queries, please visit Riverside Nephrology Physician Inc Center. The transplant coordinator will always be available to assist you.