How to Get on the Waiting List for an Organ Transplant
By Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FN
Updated on August 13, 2019
Your road to an organ transplant starts with the healthcare provider or specialist who is providing your care. If he or she determines that you are in organ failure or may soon be in organ failure, you will be referred to a transplant center. The transplant center may not be the closest center to you, as the organs transplanted at each center vary.
Once you have a referral, you will need to make an appointment for an evaluation. The initial appointment will probably include a physical examination and blood draws for a wide variety of lab studies. These blood tests will help determine how well your organs are functioning, test for drugs, and your general state of health. You may have a variety of other tests, including imaging studies like an X-ray or a CT scan. Further testing, such as blood work to help determine if a potential donor is a good match, maybe done after being approved to be listed.
Once your organ function is determined, your transplant surgeon will be able to determine if testing to determine your suitability for an organ transplant should continue. At this point, you may be told that you are currently too well for consideration, not a candidate or that testing will continue.
Additional Medical Testing Required for Transplant ;
Psychological Evaluation Before Transplantation ;
Financial Counseling for Transplantation ;
Evaluation of Addictive and Harmful Behaviors ;
Your Ability to Manage Your Health Before Transplant ;
National Waiting List or Not?
https://www.verywellhealth.com/organ-transplant-waiting-list-requirements-3156951
We power the U.S. organ donation and transplant system to save lives every day.
https://unos.org/
The Waiting List
Nationally, there are more than 100,000 people waiting for an organ transplant. Learn more about how the waiting list works below.
When a medical evaluation by your transplant hospital confirms that you are a candidate for a transplant, you are added to the national waiting list maintained by The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).
The UNOS system creates a ranked list of transplant candidates or “matches” to ensure fair allocation of organs nationwide. Gift of Life collaborates with UNOS to coordinate organ donations in our region and ensure that they go to the patients at the top of the waiting list.
https://www.donors1.org/patients/resources-for-transplant-patients/the-waiting-list/