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Adult and Pediatric Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Program The Kidney, Kidney-Pancreas Transplant program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center provides comprehensive, premier care for adult and pediatric patients with end-stage renal failure. As the first organ transplant program established in Southern California, the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Kidney Transplant program has a long history of excellence in patient-focused care and cutting-edge research. In addition, patients benefit directly from state-of-the-art Transplant Immunology and Immunogenetics Laboratories.
Program Overview Since 1966, more than 1000 kidney transplants have been performed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, with an average of 53 transplants per year performed in the last three years. The Pediatric Kidney Transplant program was established in 1988 and today, an average of five pediatric renal transplants are performed annually. The Kidney-Pancreas Transplant program was established in 1999. We perform renal transplants employing:
Patient-Centered, Family-Focused Program Because our program is of sufficient size to allow closer interactions with patients, we have the opportunity to provide a family-focused, patient-friendly type of service. Patients receive more individualized, as well as flexible care. Our goal is to reintegrate the patient back into the family setting so that the patient and family can be whole again. Kidney Transplant Team The Kidney Transplant Program uses a multidisciplinary team approach to provide quality care to adult and pediatric patients. Medical team members include: Dr. Stanley Jordan, MD - Medical Director, Renal Transplantation and Transplant Immunology Dr. Franklin Strauss, MD - Co-Associate Director, Kidney Transplantation Dr. J. Louis Cohen, MD - Surgical Director, Kidney Transplantation Dr. Mike Bunnapradist, MD - Medical Director, Renal and Pancreas Transplantation Liaison with Referring Physicians At Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the Kidney Transplant team is committed to serving you and your referring physician. For the referring physician:
Benefits of Kidney Transplantation The benefits of kidney transplantation are well-established, with patients experiencing improved life spans and quality of life compared to those on chronic dialysis. Recent advances in the development of newer immunosuppressive drugs have further improved our patients' outcome for a normal life after transplantation. It has also been demonstrated that pediatric patients experience improved life spans and quality of life compared to others in their age group on chronic dialysis. In addition, growth and development are markedly improved. Who Are Kidney Transplant Candidates? All adult and pediatric patients with end-stage renal failure are eligible for transplant evaluation. Patients referred for consideration are seen by several team members including the transplant surgeon, transplant nephrologist, nurse coordinator, and transplant social worker. Laboratory studies, radiological studies and relevant procedures to the transplant work-up are performed in an outpatient setting. Upon Completion of the Kidney Transplant Evaluation Once the patient's evaluation has been completed, and he/she has been presented to the Patient Selection Committee, a phone call to discuss the evaluation results will be placed to the referring MD by the nephrologist. If the patient is rejected, or deemed "too early" for transplantation by the Patient Selection Committee, it is the duty of the nephrologist to contact the referring physician and the patient and give recommendations. Patients accepted as candidates will be contacted by the transplant coordinator. The transplant coordinator will also contact the referring physician. A standard letter will be sent to the referring physician and to the patient. A copy of the completed patient evaluation medical records will be sent to the referring physician. During the Waiting Phase It is expected that the referring physician will contact the transplant center should the patient become hospitalized or the patient's condition deteriorates. During Hospitalization for Transplantation The transplant coordinator will notify the referring physician when the patient is transplanted. This will be followed up by a phone call from the surgeon to discuss the surgery. The transplant coordinator will give weekly updates to the referring physician while the patient is in hospital. The transplant coordinator will also notify the referring physician of the patient's transfer to Rehab or discharge to home. The transplant surgeon will be available to discuss, in detail, any complications occurring after transplant. Upon Discharge Upon discharge, the transplant coordinator will send the medical records from the transplant, including the discharge summary and medication list to the referring physician. Also included in that packet to the referring physician will be the Post Kidney Transplant Care Manual. Follow-up After each transplant clinic visit, a follow-up letter, lab results, any other test results and any medication changes will be sent to the referring physician and/or Primary Care Physician. This letter will also include any recommendations for patient care that can be completed with the Primary Care Physician. If the patient becomes hospitalized at any time, the transplant coordinator will notify the Primary Care Physician and give all the updates as outlined above. For More Information For more information, visit the Kidney Transplant and Kidney/Pancreas Transplant pages.
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