Our transplant specialists serve patients in our Mesa, Phoenix , Tempe and Thunderbird offices, as well as at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix . Our comprehensive services and support include:
In Arizona, more than 2200 people are awaiting a transplant.
Of the total, more than 1600 need a kidney transplant; approximately 93 are awaiting a pancreas transplant.
Four to five years is the average wait time for a transplant; if a live donor is identified, that wait time can be reduced.
Health factors (other medicalconditions and overall health)
Social support and caregivers (essential especially in the initial weeks after transplant)
Insurance contracts with transplant centers and financial costs
Your care team includes a financial counselor who will work with you and your medical insurance to understand the transplant coverage, your out-of-pocket costs, as well as work with you to determine financial options. Coverage and financial costs will be determined and shared with you prior to the start of your clinical evaluation.
SKI offers on-site classes to complete prior to a transplant to help patients fully understand this life-changing medical event. SKI professionals help patients in these small group classes understand more about the transplant journey with the objective of helping them make an educated decision. Previous transplant patients also attend to share their stories and answer questions candidly to help you make an informed decision. To register or get more information, call SKI at (480) 610-6165.
Living donor kidneys are excellent options for most patients awaiting a kidney transplant. A related donor kidney comes from a close relative, such as a parent or sibling. These types of transplants tend to be better matches, which means less chance of rejection. A kidney donated from someone unrelated, such as a spouse of friend, is also an option and can decreases the waiting time.
Kidney transplant patients without the option of a living donor and all pancreas transplant patients may be able to receive a deceased donor kidney. Generally, these patients will be placed on a waiting list. While on the waiting list, patients will be required to continue with periodic visits to their SKI transplant physician, as well as complete scheduled tests, including blood samples. Following through with all recommended testing and SKI physician visits is critical so that once an appropriate organ is available, the transplant process can proceed immediately.
Stay as fit as possible, managing your weight, emotional health and diet.
Go to all your routine healthcare visits, including dental checkups, flu shots, EKGs, stress testing, colorectal exams, mammograms and pap smears for women, and prostate exams for men.
If you are prescribed a new medication, receive a blood transfusion, or are subject to an injury, illness or other health change, contact your SKI transplant care team immediately and ensure the attending physician sends your medical treatment records to SKI.
While on the transplant waiting list, you will be required to give monthly blood samples. If you are on hemodialysis, your dialysis center will complete this task for you during a regularly scheduled visit. If you are not on dialysis, your SKI transplant center will help you get these blood samples done monthly.
Contact SKI immediately if your telephone, email or mailing address changes.
SKI provides you a full spectrum of information and support through our care teams as well as our Patient Education Center. In addition, other groups in the community provide transplant patients and their families guidance and emotional and/or financial support before, during, and after the transplant decision. Please be advised that these groups cannot make any clinical recommendations to you.
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