Whole-Person Care for the Transplant Process
If you’re deciding on a kidney or liver transplant at the University of Chicago Medicine and you live or work in the western suburbs, you can get your transplant evaluation and testing done at our UChicago AdventHealth locations in Hinsdale, Bolingbrook or Glendale Heights. Click below to get more information about the top-rated transplant services at UChicago Medicine.
Trust Nationally Recognized Transplant Care
At UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, we’re dedicated to offering the highest level of care at every step of the kidney or liver transplant process. To start the evaluation process, call us at 773-702-4500 and make an appointment.
With one of the most experienced transplant programs in the Midwest, UChicago Medicine continues to lead the field in innovation. They offer a personalized approach to transplantation with faster transplant rates and better waitlist survival rates than almost any other program in the country. Their seamless coordination means you can see several specialists in one visit and avoid frequent trips to the hospital.
Answering Your Kidney Transplant Evaluation Questions
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Q:Question: Why should I be evaluated for a kidney transplant at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth?
A:Answer:Getting evaluated for a kidney transplant at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth is the first step toward regaining control of your life.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerOur team can determine if you are a candidate for a living donor transplant, which provides more options for you and lasts longer, on average, than kidneys from deceased donors.
If you have a living donor who is not compatible, paired kidney exchange (PKE) or kidney-paired donation (KPD) might be an option. If accepted into these programs, your wait time for a transplant might be shorter, which means less time on dialysis. You may even be able to receive a kidney transplant before you begin dialysis.
Seeking a transplant is a major life event, and we know you have questions. We’re here to support you through the entire process, from kidney transplant evaluation to post-op life.
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Q:Question: What is a kidney transplant evaluation?
A:Answer:We follow a detailed kidney transplant evaluation process to determine if you are a candidate. As part of your evaluation, you will meet with several members of our transplant team and have tests to determine if a kidney transplant is right for you. You will also learn more about the process.
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Q:Question: How do I find out if I am a candidate for a kidney transplant?
A:Answer:Our transplant team will meet and discuss your case to decide if you are a candidate for a kidney transplant at UChicago Medicine. You will receive a phone call and a letter from your nurse with the decision.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerIf you are a candidate, our team will place you on the organ waiting list or work with you to schedule your surgery if a living donor is available. The team will also notify you if they need more information to make a decision.
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Q:Question: What testing do I need for a kidney transplant?
A:Answer:Some of the tests you will have at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth include:
- An electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram and a stress test to check your heart health
- Blood work for organ matching and to screen for viruses and other conditions
- Chest X-ray to identify any issues with your lungs or heart
- Cancer screenings based on your age and gender
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerThese tests take time, and you may need additional tests depending on your condition. The evaluation process usually takes a few weeks to just over a month. You must keep your appointments to be considered for a transplant at UChicago Medicine.
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Q:Question: If I have kidney failure, at what point should I be evaluated for a transplant?
A:Answer:If you have kidney failure, also known as end-stage renal failure (ESRD), your kidneys can no longer function on their own. You'll need dialysis or a transplant, and our team can help you understand your options.
Answering Your Liver Transplant Questions
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Q:Question: Why should I be evaluated for a liver transplant at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth?
A:Answer:We provide lifesaving transplants to patients with all types of liver disease. This includes those who are very ill and those who are not considered candidates at other hospitals. We offer many new and innovative approaches for patients with diseases related to cancers, alcohol use or multiple organ failure. We also consider transplantation for patients early in the disease process to prevent significant disability or medical complications.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerAccording to their reports, UChicago Medicine's liver team transplants patients at a faster rate and with better waitlist survival rates than almost any other program in the country.
Our team can determine if you are a candidate for a living donor transplant, which gives you more options for donor organs. Living donor liver transplantation offers numerous benefits, including the best outcomes and shorter waitlist time. We can also determine if there are any other treatments that may help you if a transplant is not the best option.
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Q:Question: What is a liver transplant evaluation?
A:Answer:At UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, we have established a comprehensive process to determine the best candidates for liver transplants. We offer new approaches to transplantation for liver diseases from both living and deceased donors not offered by many centers.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerIf you are considering a liver transplant at UChicago Medicine, you will meet with our transplant team and have tests to see if you are healthy enough for surgery. You will also learn more about getting a liver transplant from our transplant team.
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Q:Question: If I have liver failure, at what point should I be evaluated for transplant?
A:Answer:If you have liver disease or failure, also known as end-stage liver disease, you may be a candidate for liver transplant. Patients with certain unresectable liver cancers are also considered for novel therapies that include transplantation. Our team will work with you to determine the best approach based on your condition.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerSee a map of UChicago Medicine’s liver transplant evaluation locations in Chicagoland.
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Q:Question: How do I get evaluated for a liver transplant?
A:Answer:To get the process started, call us directly at 773-702-4500. Our team can evaluate you for a liver transplant or provide a second opinion. You can expect to meet with a member of the liver transplant team within a couple of weeks, either in person or virtually.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerThe entire process of getting evaluated for a liver transplant can take several weeks or months, depending on how quickly you can complete your testing. The tests you need will depend on your underlying cause of liver disease and how advanced your disease is. For significantly ill patients requiring hospitalization, transplant evaluations can be performed in a matter of days.
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Q:Question: What is involved in a liver transplant evaluation?
A:Answer:As part of your evaluation, you will meet with several members of our liver transplant team. These meetings may be virtual or in person. Members of our transplant team are also multilingual, and we can provide interpreters for most languages. Following are some of the team members you will likely meet:
Continue ReadingCollapse Answer- A nurse coordinator, who will provide education and help you move through the evaluation process
- A transplant surgeon, who will discuss the risks and benefits of surgery with you and evaluate your health to determine if you are a good transplant candidate
- A transplant hepatologist, a physician who specializes in liver disease and the management of liver transplant patients
- A social worker, who will evaluate how well you may handle the stress of a transplant and manage your care plan, before and after surgery
- A clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, who may evaluate your mental health and suggest rehabilitation programs for drug or alcohol abuse, if needed
- A dietitian, who will assess your diet and provide education before and after transplant to improve your chances of a successful transplant
- A pharmacist, who will work with you and the transplant team to find the best medicines to prevent organ rejection and minimize side effects
- A financial coordinator, who will discuss the costs of your transplant and help you understand what your insurance covers
- An interpreter, who can help you communicate with your transplant team, if needed
Depending on your health and insurance requirements, you may meet with other specialists during your evaluation. This can help improve the success of the transplant.
The evaluation process begins with a class on liver transplants taught by a nurse coordinator. You can attend this class in person or virtually. We also offer transplant education in Spanish, and we can provide interpreters for most languages.
The next part of your evaluation includes testing and meeting with the transplant team in person.
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Q:Question: What tests do I need for a liver transplant?
A:Answer:These are some of the tests that are part of your evaluation:
- Blood work to help determine the cause of your liver disease, screen for other diseases and help with organ matching
- A chest X-ray to check the health of your lungs or heart
- An electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram and a stress test, which can help physicians determine if you are healthy enough for transplant surgery
- Pulmonary function tests to check your lungs
- A computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to check your liver for high blood pressure, tumors and issues that can affect blood flow to your liver
- A liver biopsy, an outpatient procedure to remove a small piece of liver tissue for examination
- Cancer screenings, such as mammograms and colonoscopies, based on your age and gender
- A dental exam to check the health of your teeth and gums
- Drug testing to ensure that you are following the alcohol and substance abuse policy
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerTo be considered for a liver transplant at UChicago Medicine, it is imperative to keep your testing appointments and follow the guidelines outlined by your team.
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Q:Question: How do I find out if I am a candidate for a liver transplant?
A:Answer:Our liver transplant team will meet with you and review your tests to decide if you are a candidate for a liver transplant at UChicago Medicine. You will receive a phone call and a letter from your nurse with the decision.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerIf you are accepted as a candidate for a liver transplant, our team will place you on the organ waiting list or work with you to schedule your surgery if a living donor is available. The team will also notify you if they need more information to make a decision.