University of Virginia Health System

Kidney Transplantation

Referral and Evaluation

The process of care for kidney transplantation is a journay of four parts: the referral, the evaluation, the listing / wait period and post-transplant care.

Referral for Transplantation

The process of transplant evaluation begins with a referral to the transplant program. The family doctor or nephrologist may make a referral the patient may initiate the process by contacting our referral coordinator (at 800-543-8814). The coordinator will begin to collect basic information. Next, a financial counsellor will contact the patient in oder to begin to assess and provide advice on basic financial questions and initiate contact with any relevant insurers.

The Evaluation

The evaluation process begins with a visit to the transplant clinic. The transplant team evaluates new transplant candidates in its clinic on Wednesdays and Thursdays. It is helpful for us to receive medical records prior to this visit (including a history and physical exam along with any diagnostic study performed recently, such as chest x-ray, heart test or blood studies).

The initial visit includes a classroom session in which all aspects of renal transplantation are discussed in an informal group setting. Patients then meet individually with members of the transplant team, including: the transplant nephrologist, nursing coordinator, financial coordinator, social worker and nutritionist. The evaluation is thorough and will take several hours to complete. The results of the evaluation are shared with the patient and the patient’s physician(s), resulting in a prescribed program of care, findings on the suitability of transplant and next steps in the process.