Q & A

If you have kidney failure, also known as end-stage renal failure (ESRD), your kidneys can no longer function on their own. You'll need dialysis or a transplant, and our team can help you understand your options.

Getting evaluated for a kidney transplant at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth is the first step toward regaining control of your life.

Our team can determine if you are a candidate for a living donor transplant, which provides more options for you and lasts longer, on average, than kidneys from deceased donors.

If you have a living donor who is not compatible, paired kidney exchange (PKE) or kidney-paired donation (KPD) might be an option. If accepted into these programs, your wait time for a transplant might be shorter, which means less time on dialysis. You may even be able to receive a kidney transplant before you begin dialysis

You will meet with several team members, either in person or virtually. Members of our transplant team are multilingual, and we can provide interpreters for most languages.

You may meet the following team members:

• A nurse coordinator will provide education and help you move through the evaluation process
• A nephrologist, a physician who specializes in kidney disease, will help determine if you are healthy enough for a transplant
• A transplant surgeon will discuss the surgery with you and evaluate your health to determine if you are a good transplant candidate
• A social worker will evaluate your ability to cope with the stress of a transplant and manage your care plan before and after surgery
• A psychiatrist may evaluate your mental health and suggest substance abuse treatment if needed
• A dietitian will assess your diet and provide education before and after the transplant to improve your chances of success
• A pharmacist will work with you and the transplant team to find the best medicines to prevent organ rejection and minimize side effects
• A financial coordinator will discuss the costs of your transplant and help you understand what your insurance covers and what it does not
• An interpreter is available to help you communicate with your team

Your first meeting will be a class taught by a nurse coordinator. In this class, you will learn all about kidney transplants. You can attend this class in person or online. We also offer transplant education in Spanish.

The next part of your evaluation includes testing and exams requiring you to meet with the transplant team in person. You will meet with a transplant surgeon, a nephrologist or both. You may meet with other specialists depending on your age, health history and insurance requirements.

Some of the tests you will have at UChicago Medicine include:

• An electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram and a stress test to check your heart health
• Blood work for organ matching and to screen for viruses and other conditions
• Chest X-ray to identify any issues with your lungs or heart
• Cancer screenings based on your age and gender

These tests take time, and you may need additional tests depending on your condition. The evaluation process usually takes a few weeks to just over a month. You must keep your appointments to be considered for a transplant at UChicago Medicine.

Our transplant team will meet and discuss your case to decide if you are a candidate for a kidney transplant at UChicago Medicine. You will receive a phone call and a letter from your nurse with the decision.

If you are a candidate, our team will place you on the organ waiting list or work with you to schedule your surgery if a living donor is available. The team will also notify you if they need more information to make a decision.

If you've been told that you are not a candidate for a kidney transplant from either a living or deceased donor, we encourage you to seek another opinion with us. Our program offers new approaches toward complicated cases that other centers have declined, and we can review your case to determine your eligibility. Patients with living donors have a good chance of being accepted for full re-evaluation. You may be able to share records and results from recent tests (no older than six to 12 months) to avoid duplication, although multiple evaluations can be time-consuming and lead to out-of-pocket costs.

Candidates who are not suitable for transplant at our center are likewise able to seek out opinions from other centers.