Getting Listed for Transplant

Jul 25, 2017 | Mayo Clinic Transplant Staff | @mayoclinictransplantstaff | Comments (34)

A key step in your journey to transplantation is getting listed for transplant. If you’re wondering how to begin, we’re here to help!

2017-07-07 Getting Listed

When a transplant candidate has been evaluated and approved for transplant, they’re added to the national waiting list managed by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). As donors are identified, they are run through UNOS’ national computer matching system to identify a recipient that matches their unique characteristics. Once you’re officially listed, you can be considered for a deceased donor organ that comes available, provided it matches with you and your need. The computer system will categorize your listing based on many variables including your blood type, size, and current medical condition.

There are several steps to being placed on the UNOS transplant waiting list:

First you’ll have a transplant evaluation at a transplant center

This evaluation will likely include several days of testing and consultation with various transplant professionals. Each person on the team will consult with you and determine if you’re a suitable candidate for transplant.

Some patients think they’re automatically listed once their transplant evaluation is complete, but that’s not the case. While the evaluation is a major milestone in the process of getting listed, there are two more important steps.

The transplant team meets to discuss your case

Each member of the multidisciplinary transplant team presents their findings about your evaluation. Once your medical information is reviewed by the multidisciplinary team, a consensus is given to either place you on the list, to defer your listing pending more information, or deny you for transplant. A defer or deny outcome needs to be discussed with your care team. There could be alternative treatments for you other than transplant, or your care team might need more information before they are able to decide when you should be listed.

If approved for listing, you'll be added to the UNOS database

Once you have been approved for listing, a member of the team, an RN Care Coordinator if you’re being treated at Mayo Clinic, will add your information to the UNOS national database. Your hospital will send you a registered letter in the mail to let you know you have been listed and the RN Care Coordinator may notify you via telephone, as well. Once you receive this letter, it’s official – you are LISTED for transplant.

Your listing process is regulated by UNOS. Any hospital where your evaluation takes place needs to follow the steps above to get you properly listed on the transplant waiting list. Understanding these steps can help alleviate concerns or questions you might have about being listed for transplant and begin your waiting time for that lifesaving organ. If you have questions about this process or when you will be listed, contact your transplant center.

Are you currently listed for transplant? What surprised you about the process?

HELPFUL LINKS

Interested in more newsfeed posts like this? Go to the Transplant blog.

@jodeej

@jerrydrennan I know that area! Our daughter lives in the Urbandale / Grimes area. We try to avoid driving through there because of the traffic. We take highway 169 up to highway 30 or 20 and go east. Then we will hop on I-35 there to go north to I-90.

If you are on the transplant list for a liver, you qualify to stay at GOL. Maybe give them a call to see? Otherwise I think there is a place called Hope House that is for cancer patients.

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Yes ma’am
It’s a nice place and I understand my situation and there’s. But thank you for the information. I have not seen but have y’all been told about staging. I have cholangiocarcinoma not sure y’all situation. But i just assuming he will be staging also.

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@jerrydrennan I don't know anything about staging. My husband has a different kind of cancer than you do. His is from having Hep C. They have not mentioned anything about staging.

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But. He is listed. Not activated right.

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@jerrydrennan he has been activated since February. We've got a bag packed and ready to go!

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@jerrydrennan

But. He is listed. Not activated right.

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@jerrydrennan, @jodee
Another option happened for me. I was actively listed for a liver transplant. When cholangiocarinoma was suspected, I inactivated.until a definite diagnosis could be determined. When I was given a cancer free diagnosis, I was reactivated on the transplant waiting list.
It can be confusing and frightening, too. But it sounds like you are each being individually treated for different licer conditions and different cancers.
I send my prayers and hope to both of you as you continue to make this journey.
Rosemary

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First off
Hallelujah for y’all praying for a call soon
And a speedy recovery
Did he have to go thru staging.
Prayers are coming for the call.

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@jerrydrennan

But. He is listed. Not activated right.

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Rosemary
Sorry if I get caught up in the subject. I just found this forum about 2wks ago. I have had no one to talk about the stuff that’s going on. I M a very positive person but sometime I just have questions and want to find out what going on with others similar to me.

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@jerrydrennan thank you! We didn't have to do any staging. I have no idea what the difference is between his and yours. My guess would be that it is because our Help doctor had been keeping an eye on the tumor on his liver for awhile. It finally grew big enough to be considered cancerous.
Prayers that you get good results when you are back in May. Perhaps sometime we will be there at the same time!

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Well I very happy for yall and yes I hope to see yall there one day.
Lord willing and the creek don't rise my trip in may will end being staged and activated. If not I still working hard to beat this. All I need is the chance and the Lord will provide.
If possible please stay in touch. And I'll update also. Prayers for yall.

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@jerrydrennan

Well I very happy for yall and yes I hope to see yall there one day.
Lord willing and the creek don't rise my trip in may will end being staged and activated. If not I still working hard to beat this. All I need is the chance and the Lord will provide.
If possible please stay in touch. And I'll update also. Prayers for yall.

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@jerrydrennan prayers for your next visit to get you activated! God is good all the time! 🙂

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