Kidney transplant
A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure performed to restore proper kidney function when your kidney is no longer able to function on its own. A donor kidney will be used to replace the failing kidney with a healthy one.
Kidney transplant program in Fort Worth, Texas
At Medical City Fort Worth Transplant Institute, we believe kidney recipients and their living donors deserve the most sophisticated care.
Our comprehensive program addresses your needs from every angle to guide you through each step along the way.
Kidney Access Network at Medical City Fort Worth
Medical City Fort Worth is a participating location in the Medical City Healthcare–St. David’s HealthCare Kidney Access Network. For eligible kidney transplant patients, our team can serve as your home transplant center and help coordinate the evaluation and listing review process across our three donor service areas.
Coordinated kidney transplant care close to home
If you are living with kidney failure, choosing where to begin your transplant journey is an important decision. At Medical City Fort Worth, our transplant team provides personalized guidance from your first evaluation through listing, transplant surgery and follow-up care.
As part of the Kidney Access Network, eligible patients who are approved for listing at our hospital may choose to have their information reviewed by other participating transplant programs. This connected approach may expand access to deceased donor kidney opportunities while helping reduce unnecessary repeat testing.
How Medical City Fort Worth supports your transplant journey
Our kidney transplant team can help you understand what to expect at each step of the process, including:
- Reviewing your health history and transplant eligibility
- Explaining testing and evaluation requirements
- Discussing listing options through the Kidney Access Network
- Helping coordinate communication with our other transplant programs
- Preparing you for next steps if a kidney offer becomes available
Each participating transplant program makes its own listing decision, and wait times vary based on donor availability, medical criteria, organ matching and program requirements.
Start your evaluation in Fort Worth
You may be a candidate for kidney transplant evaluation if you have kidney failure or have been referred for transplant care. Our transplant team can answer your questions, review your options and help you determine whether the Kidney Access Network may be part of your care plan.
CTA: Kidney transplant referral form
Kidney transplant team
Medical City Healthcare’s kidney transplant programs are rated at the top in North Texas when it comes to getting a transplant faster, according to the latest data provided by the Scientific Registry for Transplant Recipients (SRTR).
We take pride in leading patients through the process of kidney transplant surgery. The team of transplant specialists at our hospital will assist in medical evaluations, post-transplant recovery, finances, emotional health, prescriptions, insurance, nutrition and more.
The kidney transplant team consists of:
- Transplant surgeons
- Transplant nephrologists
- Transplant administrators
- Transplant coordinators
- Transplant financial coordinators
- Transplant dietitians
- Transplant social workers
- Transplant pharmacists
- Independent living donor advocates
Transplant application checklist
Kidney transplant process
We can arrange for you to receive all of your pre-transplant tests at Medical City Fort Worth. Or, if you prefer, you can get the standard medical tests at another hospital or doctor's office. In some cases, your insurer may not cover some of these tests unless you arrange for them through your primary care doctor.
You will be required to come to Medical City Fort Worth for certain evaluations, such as:
- Your meeting with the transplant surgeon and transplant coordinator
- Your evaluation by the transplant social worker
- Your meeting with the transplant financial coordinator
Being evaluated for kidney transplant
Your transplant coordinator will set up all the tests and evaluations you're having completed at Medical City Fort Worth for you. Usually, out-of-town patients must only come to Fort Worth for one or two days. Your transplant coordinator can help you find hotel accommodations during your visit, if needed.
Once testing and evaluations are complete, the transplant surgeon and the rest of the transplant team review the results. Together, the team decides whether a transplant is the best treatment for you.
Preparing for your kidney transplant
In some cases, patients will be asked to address certain health issues before we will consider them for a transplant. For instance, a patient may first need to lose weight or quit smoking to help ensure the transplant is safe and successful.
Financing your kidney transplant
The transplant financial coordinator is an expert on insurance issues and can help you find a way to pay for your operation, tests and medications. The coordinator will check whether your current insurance covers all the costs of a transplant. If you don't have insurance, the coordinator will help you find an appropriate plan.
Where to find us
The Medical City Fort Worth Transplant Institute is located around the corner from the main hospital. Head north on ninth avenue and turn right on Worth Street.
Our address is:
909 9th Ave.
Suite 300
Fort Worth, TX 76104