Note: This is for informational purposes only. Doctors cannot provide a diagnosis or individual treatment advice via e-mail. Please consult your physician about your specific health care concerns.
The donor will complete an initial questionnaire that includes a series of
questions regarding overall health status. Donors should not have high blood
pressure, cancer, diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease.
This questionnaire is reviewed by one of the nurse coordinators from the Living Donor Program. If the questionnaire is approved, a transplant phlebotomist will contact the donor to inform them that they may proceed with initial blood testing.
Blood Testing
If the donor lives within 75 miles of UMMC, they will need to come to the
Transplant office to have their blood drawn. If they live further than 75
miles away from the Transplant office, a kit will be mailed them to have their
blood drawn locally.
The blood will be tested for blood type, antigen match, as well as a crossmatch
with the recipient. (The crossmatch tells whether the recipient cells react
well with the donor cells.) It will take 2 weeks to receive
the test results.
A nurse coordinator will call to inform the donor of their results and will speak with them about their interest in further testing.
Step 2: Further Testing & Education
Tests and Assessments
The donor will complete an EKG, chest x-ray, bloodwork, and urine tests. A
blood pressure check, medial history & physical examination will be completed
by a nephrologist or nephrology nurse practitioner.
A psychosocial assessment by a social worker is also done. (Blood tests include:
HIV, Hepatitis B & C, kidney function, liver function, possible virus exposures,
test for anemia)
Education Session
During the evaluation day, the donor will attend an education session, facilitated
by a nurse coordinator, where they will learn more about the laparoscopic
procedure and will receive educational materials.
The donors will also meet with a financial coordinator to learn about the billing procedures for donation. Typically, the transplant center and the recipient's insurance will cover the cost of the evaluation and surgery.
CT Scan and Surgeon Visit:
The donor will meet with one of the laparoscopic donor surgeons, as well as complete a CT scan to determine the specific anatomy of the kidneys and urinary tract.
Additional Tests
Other tests may also be required depending on the donor's gender, age, and
genetic make-up. These may include: Pap smear, mammogram, PSA, exercise stress
test and a 2-hour glucose tolerance test. If the donor
is a smoker, they will be instructed to stop smoking.
The donor will be informed of the results of these tests after 2-3
weeks. If a CT scan or evaluation by the surgeon did not take place
on the evaluation day, the appointment for the donor will occur on another
day.
Multidisciplinary Discussion
Once all of the tests are completed, the donor's results will be discussed at a multidisciplinary meeting. If approved by the committee, the donor and recipient will have a surgery date set, as well as a day for pre-admission testing, which will generally be within a week of the surgery date.
Step 3: Pre-Admission Testing
(Pre-admission testing will usually occur within one week of the surgery.)
Anesthesiologist
The donor will meet with an anesthesiologist to discuss the anesthesia process and answer any questions that they may have.
Recipient Surgeon & Nurse Coordinator
The donor and recipient will meet the recipient's surgeon and a nurse coordinator to discuss the surgery and will have the opportunity to ask questions.
Social Worker
The donor will meet with the living donor social worker to discuss their feelings and expectations about upcoming surgery and to confirm aftercare plans.
Financial Coordinator
The donor will meet with a financial coordinator to review procedures for billing to avoid cost to the donor.
Tests
The donor will have blood drawn for a final cross match and updated labs as well as a final urine sample taken.
Instructions
The donor will be instructed to stop aspirin products or other blood thinners
three days prior to surgery.
If they are a smoker and have not yet stopped smoking, they will be instructed
to do so.
The donor will also be given a hospital brochure with information regarding
their stay, as well as information regarding surgical preparation for the
night before surgery and the time and place to report on the day of surgery.
If you would like to make
an appointment or talk to someone about our services, please call 410-328-5408
or 1-800-492-5538.
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