Pediatric Transplant Center: Preparing for a Kidney Transplant

Pre-transplant evaluation

Referral process

• Pediatric Kidney Transplant External Intake Form PS147992
• Patients referred for transplant may or may not be on dialysis at the time of referral. Pediatric patients who are not yet on dialysis may have the option of preemptive kidney transplantation due to irreversible kidney damage and declining kidney function.

Evaluation process

• Referral received and reviewed by transplant team
• Financial authorization from patient’s insurance carrier is obtained by UF Health financial advisor
• Transplant team will call candidate’s family to schedule evaluation
• Evaluation includes – diagnostic testing and appointments with transplant nephrology, transplant surgery, transplant education with transplant coordinator, transplant social work, and financial counselor

Transplant Evaluation Review

• After the evaluation is complete, a multi-disciplinary committee will meet to review all diagnostic tests to determine if the patient is a candidate for kidney transplant. The committee will discuss any medical issues that may need to be addressed prior to transplant listing or could be a contraindication for kidney transplant. Members of the committee will also discuss any barriers within the family that could hinder the success of kidney transplantation. Decisions to list a patient for kidney transplant are based on agreement of medical professionals. Each patient is evaluated on an individual basis to determine best treatment option for the patient.

Listing with the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS)

• Status 1 (Active): Patient is listed with UNOS for deceased donor kidney transplant. The patient could receive a call for kidney transplant at any time.
• Status 7 (In-Active): Patient is listed with UNOS, but will not receive any calls for deceased donor while listed in-active. Patient’s may be listed in-active for transplant for various reasons including but not limited to kidney function greater than 20%, currently resolving medical or family concerns, and to evaluate possible living donor candidates.  
• Defer: Patient is given at least 6 months to reconcile any medical or family concerns that would hinder a successful kidney transplant. The patient’s case will be reconsidered at 6 months or after medical and/or family concerns are resolved.
• Deny: Committee decision is that kidney transplantation is not the best option for the patient at this time. The patient’s medical provider may send a new referral once circumstances for denial have been resolved.