Transplant Institute
The Transplant Institute, part of the Department of Surgery, offers nationally recognized patient care, research programs, and education and training opportunities.
Transplant Call & Coming to the Hospital
Be ready when an organ is available
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Be Prepared for Your Organ Transplant & Hospital Admission
When you're waiting for a transplant, you're waiting for "the call" — the announcement from your transplant coordinator that there's a donated organ that meets your needs. Being ready is vital, because you must move fast. We're here to help.
Preparing for Transplant
There's no way of knowing how long you'll be on a transplant waitlist or when a deceased organ may become available to you. It might take months or even years.
Before your transplant, staff at our Transplant Institute provide ongoing care to make sure you're as ready as possible for a successful transplant. But when the time comes, we only have one hour to decide if the organ is right for you. That includes the time it takes to locate you. Being organized and ready means you can head to the hospital right away.
Verify Your Contact Information
Be sure your phone is nearby and charged at all times. We need to be able to reach you at any time, day or night. Also, make sure we have the correct phone number for you and that you answer any calls from us.
It's important to give us the number of a family member or friend who will always know where you are. If we can't reach you directly, we can contact this person.
Getting the Call for Organ Transplant
When you get your transplant phone call, a member of the transplant team will tell you where to go when you get to the hospital. Be sure to:
- Ask if there are any medications you should take or should not take before arriving at the hospital.
- Avoid eating or drinking anything. Eating or drinking could delay your surgery while we wait for your stomach to empty. We only give general anesthesia on a full stomach in extreme emergencies.
- Tell us if you have had any recent illnesses, vaccines or blood transfusions.
More About Transplant Call & Coming to the Hospital
What to Pack
It's a good idea to pack a bag for the hospital in advance. Include these items:
- A list of things you'll need after your transplant
- A list of people you'd like notified when your organ becomes available
- An updated list of all the medications you take
- Insurance card(s)
- Personal items, such as:
- Bathrobe
- Charger for electrical device(s)
- Comb or brush
- Deodorant
- Paper and pen
- Reading materials
- Slippers
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
You might want to bring a small amount of cash, but don't bring large amounts. It's also best to leave jewelry, credit cards and other items of value at home.
You may bring and use your cell phone in the hospital. If you plan to use the hospital phones, be sure to bring a phone card or plan to call collect when dialing long distance.
Be Travel-Ready
If you're going to the hospital by car, choose a driver who will be available when the time comes. Having a backup driver makes sense, too. Map out your route to the hospital and have an alternate route ready in case you face any problems on the road.
If you plan to fly to Boston, know the routine flight schedules and verify available flights on a regular basis. Check more than one airline in case there's a delay or cancellation on the airline you plan to use.
Finally, be sure you have someone who can drive you to the hospital on short notice. Decide ahead of time whether you'll get from the airport to the hospital by rental car, taxi or other car service. Have some money on hand in case you need it.
Consider Your Children
If you have children, decide who will care for them during your hospital stay. Talk to them about the plan before you get the call to come in so they understand and can expect what will happen. Our psychologists and social workers can help you talk to your children in a way that's easy to understand and that will be most helpful to them.
Coming to the Hospital
It may be helpful to become familiar with our hospital campus and what you should know about planning for your hospital stay. We try to make it easy for you and your visitors to find your way around and prepare for your time in the hospital.
When Your Transplant is Delayed
Unfortunately, there's a chance you may arrive at the hospital only to learn there's a problem with the donated organ. It's also possible that we'll discover you have a new medical problem that you didn't know about. These situations could endanger your health or the success of your transplant. For your protection, it might be necessary to delay your transplant.
This news can be heart-wrenching. You might feel depressed, disappointed, worried or angry. Our behavioral health team is here to help you and your family during this difficult time. Our hope is that your transplant day will arrive soon.
