Living Kidney Donation
Educational Binder Contents
Front Pocket
§ Letter
Section 1 Welcome to UW Transplant
§ UW Kidney Transplant Program
§ UW Kidney Transplant Coordinators
§ Ten Reasons Why you Should Consider Becoming a Kidney Donor
§ UW Transplant Facts and Figures
§ The Kidney Exchange Program Brochure
§ The Living Kidney Donation Brochure
§ UW Patient Rights and Responsibilities
§ Living Donor Transplant Team Members
§ Transplant Directory
§ Hospital Services
§ Guidelines for Primary Supports and Visitors
Section 2 The Living Donation Process
§ Pre- Evaluation
§ Donor Evaluation Day
§ After the Evaluation
§ Preparing for Surgery
§ The Surgery
§ After Surgery
Section 3 Additional Resources
§ UW Health Transplant Living Donor Mentor Program
§ Kidney Transplant Statistics
§ The Non-Medical Risks of Living Donation
§ What if I’m “Ruled Out” as a Potential Living Donor
§ What if I decide Not to Be a Living Organ Donor
§ Nutrition after Organ Donation
§ Resources to Reduce the Financial Burdens of Living Organ Donation
§ Internet Resources for Transplant Patients and Live Organ Donors
§ Living Kidney Donation Patient Stories
§ Living Kidney Donation Frequently Asked Questions
§ Restoring Hope Transplant House
Transplant Directory
Transplant Office
Address:
University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics
Transplant Program, F8/152
600 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53792-1780
Phone: (608) 263-1384
Fax: (608) 262-5624
Hours: Weekdays, 8 am - 4:30 pm; Thursdays 9 am - 4 pm
Web site: uwhealth.org/transplant
• To reach transplant office staff with general questions or concerns
• If your coordinator is not available and you need help right away
Transplant Clinic
Room Number: G7/105
Phone: (608) 262-5420
Hours: Weekdays, 8 am - 4:30 pm
• To schedule, re-schedule or cancel your clinic visit
Toll Free UW Hospital Information Line: (800) 323-8942
• An operator will direct your call anywhere in the hospital
Emergencies
Answering Service (Paging) for medical emergencies: (608) 263-6400
• 24 hours a day (after regular office hours)
• Use for urgent and emergent issues during non-business hours
Transplant Inpatient Unit - B4/6: (608) 263-8737
• For questions regarding medicines or care instructions within 24 hours of
discharge from the hospital
UW Hospital Pharmacy
Transplant unit pharmacist - B4/6: (608) 263-7229
• For questions about your medicines within 24 hours of discharge from the hospital
UW Hospital and Clinics Patient Housing Coordinator
Phone: (608) 263-0315
Hours: Weekdays, 7:30 am- 4 pm
• For help finding a place for you or your family to stay in Madison while you are receiving
medical care at UW Hospital and Clinics
Patient Relations: (608) 263-8009
• If you have questions, wish to file a complaint or wish to compliment any aspect of your care of
service at UW Hospital and Clinics.
Living Donor Transplant Team Members
Transplant Surgeons
Transplant surgeons meet with you during the evaluation process to perform a medical evaluation, explain the surgical process and review the risks of donation. The transplant surgeon performs the transplant donor surgery and works with the medical doctors to manage your care after the donation.
Transplant Nephrologists
Nephrologists are doctors who specialize in kidney disease. They assess your health to decide if donation is a good option. They stay involved in your care after donation.
Nurse Coordinators
Nurse coordinators are responsible for coordinating your transplant care before, during and after donation. They provide ongoing education and help arrange the required testing you need prior to being approved for donation. They will assist you through the evaluation process by working closely with you and communicating with your local doctors and health care facilities.
Clinical Social Workers
Clinical social workers conduct a psychosocial assessment, discuss available community resources, assist with financial resources and work with other members of the transplant team to support you emotionally throughout the donation process. The social worker will provide information and help you complete your advance directives paper work. They are also responsible for educating you about the financial aspects of donation, and are your best resource for help with any insurance related questions. They can also assist you with finding a support group for you and your family.
Living Donor Advocate
The living donor advocate is an independent advocate who is not involved in care of transplant recipients on a routine basis. The advocate’s role is to serve as the representative for you, the living donor, to discuss any questions and concerns you many have and to ensure that your rights as a patient are protected; including the right to be free of any feelings of family pressure, undue emotional responsibility, need for recognition or reasons of financial gain. The living donor advocate can communicate with the medical team on your behalf and/or obtain additional information to ensure that your decision is informed and free from coercion.
Clinical Dieticians
Clinical dieticians work with you and your family to evaluate your nutritional status and develop a plan for good nutrition throughout the donation process.
Physician Assistants
Physician assistants assist with inpatient and outpatient care and help organize your discharge needs. Physician assistants monitor your recovery and assist doctors in every aspect of your care.
Surgical Residents and Transplant Fellows
Surgical residents and transplant fellows assist mainly with inpatient care including preparing you for surgery, assisting in the operating room and helping to manage post operative issues. Surgical residents and transplant fellows work with the surgeons and other team members to prepare you for discharge.
Discharge Case Managers
Discharge case managers work with you and your family to prepare you to leave the hospital.
Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners assist with inpatient care and outpatient care following your surgery. A nurse practitioner assists the transplant doctor with long-term general health management. A nurse practitioner is available to see you in the transplant clinic on a long-term basis.
Transplant Pharmacists
Transplant pharmacists work closely with doctors, nursing staff and you to ensure you’re your medications are used correctly. The pharmacists work with the rest of the transplant team to find the best way to diminish the side effects you may have due to medicine used during donation. They also help with managing medication schedules.
Inpatient Transplant Nurses
Inpatient transplant nurses specialize in the care and treatment of transplant patients during their hospital stay. You will be assigned a primary nurse for your inpatient nursing care who will work with your doctors, coordinators and other health care disciplines to prepare you for your discharge.
Transplant Clinic Nurses
Transplant clinic nurses care for you during clinic visits and assist with numerous outpatient procedures. The clinic nurses provide care and support for you during your recovery period after procedures, and assist in setting up required follow-up care. They also provide ongoing education for you and your family.
Office Support Staff
Members of the transplant office support staff provide phone triage to coordinators and other staff and assist in management of outpatient medical information. They help coordinators manage patient lab results and daily patient issues and concerns.
Pastoral Care
Chaplains help many patients and families receive comfort and meaning from their faith during illness recovery. Our chaplains provide spiritual and emotional support and perform sacraments. Faith and medicine opportunities are provided at the hospital chapel. Catholic and Protestant services are held on Sundays.
Other Doctor Consultations
UW Hospital and Clinics have many specialized expert doctors that can be consulted to work together to provide the best care possible. Infectious disease, dental, endocrine, cardiology, hepatology, gastroenterology, dermatology, urology and rehabilitation experts are just a few of the teams that are available to assist in your care.
Other Services
Other services are available to provide assistance to you and your family. For example, interpreter services can be made available for anyone needing translation services. Housing assistance can help you and your family, should temporary housing be needed.
Hospital Services
Cash Machines (ATMs) can be found on the floor 1 near the cafeteria and on floor 2 near the outpatient lab.
The Chapel is next to the gift shop on the floor 2. Service times for holy days are announced over the public address system. Open 24 hours a day, the chapel is a quiet place for you to meditate or pray. On Sundays, worship services are held in the surgery waiting lounge on the floor 2 between the “B” and “D” lobbies. A protestant service is held at 10 am and Catholic Mass is held at 11 am.
Concerns should be shared with the transplant unit staff. If you have a concern, you may ask the staff to speak with the nurse manager. If you have further concerns, you or the nurse manager may call Patient Relations at (608) 263-8009. They will work with you and your family to resolve issues.
Food Service Options
· Four Lake Café: Visitors and the public are always welcome in the cafeteria. It is on floor 1 next to the “H” elevators. It is open from 6 am to 7 pm on the weekdays and 6:30 am to 6:30 pm on the weekends. You can call 3-9788 from inside the hospital to hear the daily menu.
· Café: You also can find a choice of food and snacks in the Café, located on floor 3 between the “B” and “D” elevators. The Café is open weekdays from 6:30 am to 7 pm. It is closed on weekends.
· Mendota Market: This market can be found across from the cafeteria on the floor 1. It is open weekdays 24 hours a day and 7 am - 3 pm and 6:30 pm to 6:30 am on Saturdays. It opens at 6:30 pm on Sundays and holidays. The Market offers a deli, pizzas, ice cream, popcorn and packaged goods for sale.
· Vending Machines: Machines can be found on floor 3 next to the “D” elevators and in many elevator lobbies throughout the hospital.
The Gift Shop can be found near the main entrance on floor 2. The gift shop sells cards, toys, phone cards, reading materials, self-care items, candy, balloons and gift items. The Friends of UW Hospital and Clinics, Inc. also sponsor a flower mart in this area. Hours are 8:30 am - 7 pm Monday through Friday and 10 am - 3 pm on weekends. A self-service stamp machine is near the gift shop and “D” elevators.
Health Facts For You fliers are helpful teaching guides written by the health care team at UW Hospital and Clinics. You can get them from your nurse or through the Learning Center at (608) 265-3276.
Interpreter Services are offered for the hearing impaired and non-English speaking patients and their families. Contact Patient Relations at (608) 263-8009.
Pharmacy can be found on floor 2, off of Main Street, between the main entrance and the clinics lobby in the “F” module. Over-the-counter medicines are available. Your prescriptions can be filled here. The pharmacy accepts insurance, cash, personal checks, Visa and MasterCard.
Guidelines for Primary Support and Visitors
University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics supports a patient and family centered approach to care. This means that you can help us plan your care; including telling us which people closest to you can provide support to you during your stay. Most patients and families need help and support, but needs may vary from person to person.
We have defined two types of people that may be with you during your stay. Primary support persons are the one or two people closest to you. Visitors are guests of you and your family.
Who are Primary Support Persons?
People who provide you with the support you need
· Physical
· Psychological
· Emotional
Your support persons may include
· Relatives
· Best friends
· A partner
Who are Visitors?
They are guests of you or your family and may only visit at certain times during the day.
How Do I Designate Who my Primary Support Persons Are?
Your primary nurse will review the Primary Support and Visitor Guidelines with you.
At any time during your hospital stay, you may tell us who your primary support people are. Most often, this will include a small number of people. You are free to change your primary support persons at any time.
We will make sure you have quiet time for rest and privacy. We will help you balance your need for support and your need for rest.
When are visiting hours?
Primary Support / VisitorsMost often can come at any time based on the wishes of patients / 8 am - 9 pm, except in special situations
Must be at least 18 years old / An adult must be present with all visitors under 16 years old
Due to space limits, in most cases only one support person is allowed to spend the night in a patient’s room / Anyone who visits after 9 pm must wear a badge and be approved by the staff on the unit caring for the patient
Other Guidelines
Items of value should not be brought to the hospital. Only bring items that are needed, like glasses or hearing aids. The hospital is not responsible for lost or misplaced items. If the people who come to see you need a place to spend the night, they can call the Housing Coordinator at (608) 263-0315 for help in finding a local hotel.
How are Badges Obtained?
Our goal is to provide a safe environment. One way to ensure this is to give after-hours badges to those people who have been granted permission to stay after 9 pm. Primary support persons and visitors must obtain an ID badge in order to stay after hours.
Primary Support: To get an ID badge, primary support persons must receive a card from the unit staff. The card is then taken to the Security Office, located near the Main Entrance of the hospital. This must be done before 9 pm. The badge will be valid for one week. It may be used until the date printed on the badge.
Visitors: Visitors who have been given permission to visit after hours must also go to the Security Office found near the Main Entrance of the hospital to obtain a badge. This must be done before 9 pm. These badges are valid for one night.
Who Should Not Visit?
People should not visit the hospital if they have been exposed to an infection or illness, including