Transplant services

We are approved through the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) to provide kidney transplant and liver transplant services. We are proud to be the first hospital in Florida to perform robotic nephrectomies (the surgical removal of a kidney) for living organ donors. We also provide comprehensive heart transplant services.

Our hospital can accept any transplant candidate's transfer while keeping their same placement on the waiting list for organs.

We will work with you to determine if you are an eligible candidate for transplantation.

Pre-transplant education class

Before evaluation, you'll be invited to attend our pre-transplant education class where you can ask any questions you have. Attendance of an education session with a family member or friend is mandatory. The class usually includes three to four attendees and lasts about an hour.

This class is designed to help you get familiar with aspects of transplantation, including:

• How to prepare for evaluation and testing
• Placement on the donated organ waiting list
• Going home and next steps after transplant surgery

Meeting your transplant team

Throughout the evaluation process, you will meet with all members of your specific transplant team, including:

• Anesthesiologist will discuss how sedation will be administered during your transplant surgery. They will also evaluate the results of your previous heart and lung function tests and discuss any possible concerns.
• Dietitian/nutritionist assesses your overall nutritional status, habits and comprehension. Helps optimize your nutritional status prior to surgery and after transplantation.
• Financial coordinator assesses your insurance coverage and status, potential out-of-pocket expenses and current financial profile.
• Transplant coordinator oversees your entire evaluation process, handling scheduling and logistics. They will be available as a resource for any questions you may have throughout the process.
• Transplant surgeon reviews your clinical condition and all tests performed during your transplant evaluation. The transplant surgeon will assess your fitness and ability to undergo transplant surgery.
• Transplant doctor optimizes your medical and device-based therapies. The transplant doctor will evaluate all options to determine the best course of treatment for your specific medical condition.
• Pharmacist assesses medication regimen and management, compliance, medication management, comprehension levels and potential medication allergies.
• Social worker assesses your social support, living conditions and financial status. The social worker may also work with you to identify resources for your care, finances and other needs. A plan will be developed to help provide substance abuse counseling, if required.
• Dermatologist assesses your overall risk of skin cancer due to immunosuppressive medications. A plan will be developed for routine skin checks based on overall risk to diagnose and any skin cancers as early as possible.

Tests and evaluations for transplant surgery

After meeting the full transplant team, your transplant coordinator will schedule any blood work or diagnostic tests needed to:

• Confirm your diagnosis
• Assess your ability to undergo the transplantation procedure
• Rule out any possible alternative treatments

Paying for transplant surgery

Typically, during the same visit as your evaluation tests, you will meet with a financial coordinator. The coordinator will discuss and evaluate the best ways to help cover the overall costs of transplant surgery. They may suggest changes to insurance policies or other ways to ensure financial coverage.

Transplant eligibility

Next, the Medical Review Board (MRB) will meet to review your records and determine if you are an eligible candidate for transplant surgery. If you are found eligible for transplant, your name will be placed on the national organ waiting list.

The process will move quickly once an appropriate donor organ is found. You'll be notified by phone that an organ is on its way to the hospital. You should plan in advance for transportation to the hospital. If you normally live more than a few hours from the hospital, you may need to temporarily live closer.

Once you've been admitted to the hospital for your transplant, you'll receive your first dose of anti-rejection drugs and antibiotics as your body is prepared to accept the donor organ. During the transplantation, the diseased or damaged organ is entirely removed and replaced with a donor organ.

After surgery, you'll be taken to the transplant intensive care Unit (TICU). You can expect to spend several days in the TICU, where your condition will be closely monitored. When your condition is stable enough, you will be moved to an inpatient room.

Your transplant team will develop a plan that will guide you through all aspects of your recovery including:

• Medication schedules
• Exercise regimens
• Dietary restrictions
• Lifestyle modifications

Once you're cleared to leave the hospital, you'll need to live close by for up to three months. You'll continue to be monitored by the transplant team to ensure a successful outcome. You can expect to be seen at least twice during the week immediately following discharge from the hospital.

As part of your follow-up care, our financial coordinators and social workers will review your financial plan and provide any additional assistance needed to help you carry it out.