Adult Kidney Transplant Program

The kidney transplant program at Baystate Medical Center provides care for people with end-stage renal disease (kidney failure).

If you need a kidney transplant, if or would like to donate a kidney, our expert multidisciplinary team will provide you with the highest quality of personalized care.

We are here to guide you through your journey from referral to surgery and recovery.

Process for Patients and Living Donors 

1. Get a Referral

To begin an evaluation for kidney transplant, your nephrologist (kidney doctor) will need to refer you to our program. Talk with your nephrologist if you are interested in being referred.

2. Confirm Insurance Coverage

Once your referral is received, we will verify that you have appropriate insurance coverage for transplant at our center.

3. Attend a Class & Make Sure Your Health Screenings are Up to Date

The next step is to attend a class at our clinic. This class will provide general information on the transplant process and the next steps to begin the evaluation.

Before beginning your transplant evaluation, we will need verify that you are up to date on your health screenings. Health screenings are recommended screenings by the American Cancer Society such as a colonoscopy, mammogram, pap smear, etc. What screenings are needed depend on your age and gender.

4. Evaluation for Transplant Surgery

Once we have verified that you are up to date on your health screenings, you will be scheduled for an all-day comprehensive transplant evaluation appointment where you will meet with all members of our multidisciplinary team. You will also complete laboratory testing, an EKG and a chest X-ray.

After this appointment, additional testing or consult appointments may be required as part of your evaluation.

5. Listing on the Transplant Waiting List

Once your evaluation is completed, you will be reviewed by our multidisciplinary team where it will be determined if you are appropriate to be listed for transplant on the deceased donor kidney transplant waiting list or scheduled for a living donor kidney transplant.

After being listed on the deceased donor kidney transplant waiting list, you will be seen in our clinic at least once a year and will be asked to keep up to date on health screenings. Additional consults and testing may be needed while you are waiting for a transplant.

Who is Eligible for Transplant Surgery?

You may be eligible for a kidney transplant at our center if:

• You are on dialysis or have a Glomerular Filtration Rate (kidney function) equal or less than 20%
• You are free from severe liver, heart, vascular or lung disease
• You do not have active cancer or a history of cancer that has spread
• You are not actively abusing alcohol, nicotine or illicit drugs
• You are not overweight (BMI under 40)
• You are able to care for the transplant, take medications as directed, have at least one person to provide care to you and have transportation to appointments 

Types of Kidney Transplant Surgery 

There are two types of kidney transplant surgery:

1. Living Donor Kidney Transplant: A living person donates a kidney directly to you or through a paired exchange. Living Donor Kidney Transplant is the fastest and best option because you get a healthy kidney from a living donor.

2. Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant: The kidney is received from a deceased donor (individual that has died).

Kidney Transplant Resources

The following websites provide additional information on kidney transplant:

• United Network for Organ Sharing
• National Kidney Foundation
• National Institute of Health