Kidney transplant programs in North Texas
If your kidney is failing, the kidney transplant programs in the Medical City Healthcare network can help.
A team of transplant surgeons and related specialists offer patients access to advanced care for kidney and kidney-pancreas transplants, including pre- and postoperative care.
Kidney Access Network at Medical City Healthcare
The Medical City Healthcare - St. David's HealthCare Kidney Access Network is a collaboration between kidney transplant programs at Medical City Dallas, Medical City Fort Worth and St. David's North Austin Medical Center. Through this network, eligible kidney transplant patients may begin the evaluation process at one participating transplant center and, if approved for listing there, may be considered for listing at the other participating programs.
Greater access through connected transplant programs
For patients with kidney failure, the path to transplant can involve many steps, from evaluation and testing to listing and waiting for a donor kidney. The Kidney Access Network is designed to help qualified patients explore more listing opportunities while starting with one home transplant center.
If you are approved for listing at your home center, you may choose to have your information reviewed by other participating Kidney Access Network programs. Each program independently determines whether you meet its listing criteria. Eligibility, evaluation requirements, wait time and transplant timing can vary by patient and program.
Because the network includes transplant programs connected to three donor service areas, eligible patients may have access to additional deceased donor kidney opportunities. The network may also help reduce the need for repeat testing.
Our Kidney Access Network locations
Medical City Healthcare offers access to Kidney Access Network services through two North Texas kidney transplant programs:
Medical City Dallas
7777 Forest Lane
Dallas, TX 75230
Learn more about our Dallas kidney transplant program
Medical City Fort Worth
900 Eighth Ave.
Fort Worth, TX 76104
Learn more about our Fort Worth kidney transplant program
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to complete a full evaluation at every hospital?
In most cases, no. Patients complete the transplant evaluation at their home center first. If they are approved for listing there, their information may be shared with the other participating programs for review.
Will I need to visit every transplant center?
Many patients only need to travel to another participating center if they are approved there and a transplant opportunity becomes available at that location.
Does the Kidney Access Network shorten the wait for everyone?
No. Transplant timing is different for every patient and depends on factors such as donor availability, medical compatibility, organ matching and each program’s listing requirements. However, being considered by multiple participating programs may give eligible patients access to additional deceased donor kidney opportunities.
Types of kidney transplant
We focus on providing full-service care for eligible kidney transplant patients, which is why we offer:
- Living and deceased transplant surgeries
- Adult and pediatric kidney transplant
- Adult pancreas transplant
- Adult pancreas after kidney transplant
The transplant services at Medical City Healthcare focus on a collaborative approach to care as well as providing access to testing, evaluation, surgery and recovery options — all in one location.
Am I eligible for a kidney transplant
Kidney transplant eligibility is based on a variety of factors, but these general guidelines can help you determine whether a kidney transplant may be appropriate for you.
Kidney transplant-eligible patients should:
- Be on dialysis or close to needing dialysis
- Have the ability to follow a complicated medical treatment regimen
- Have a strong family or social support system
- Not be active drug or alcohol abusers
- Not consider age or weight as barriers to transplant consideration
What to expect during a kidney transplant evaluation
Our living donor advocate works directly with a potential donor and acts as the donor’s representative. The donor advocate will ensure that any potential concerns are communicated and explored prior to donation.
Living kidney donation
A living kidney donation involves the removal of a kidney from a living donor and placement into a recipient whose kidneys no longer function properly. To determine whether you are a viable candidate to donate a kidney, basic blood work and urine tests are performed at your convenience.
Once the donor and the recipient are approved for transplant, the surgery date will be set based on the request of the donor and recipient and the availability of a surgeon.
The waiting time for a deceased donor kidney can be lengthy, about an average of 5 years. Live donor transplants are the fastest and best way to receive a transplant. Wait times for a living donor transplant can be as little as 2 to 3 months.
Did you know?
- All medical costs for the living donor are covered by the recipient’s insurance.
- Your donor does not need to be a blood relative to donate – anyone can be a living donor.
- Your donor can live a normal, healthy life with just one kidney.
- Donating a kidney does not increase the risk of developing kidney disease. However, if the need ever arises, a previous donor can be prioritized for future transplant.
Why choose a living donor transplant?
- Live donor kidneys are the best option for the intended recipient. They are the best quality kidneys and usually begins working immediately.
- In most cases, live donor kidneys function longer than deceased donor kidneys.
- Minimally invasive donor surgery with an average hospitalization stay of 1-2 nights and return to work in as little as 2 weeks.
- Live donor surgeries are scheduled, which allows both the donor and the recipient time to prepare.
Checklist for potential donors
Your donor should be:
- In good mental and physical health
- Free of diabetes
- Within normal blood pressure limits
- Acceptable weight
- Willing to give the gift of life
After donating a kidney, the remaining kidney will grow and maintain the daily function of two kidneys. Your life expectancy does not change and kidney donation does not increase the chance of getting kidney disease.
Kidney transplant online resources
In addition to the resources provided at Medical City Healthcare facilities, there is an online community of support available to help you learn more about kidney transplant surgery and overall kidney health, including: