Necessary Components of a Living Donor Team

Abstract

Live donor kidney transplantation represents approximately one third of the kidney transplants performed each year in the United States. The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have developed specific requirements with regard to the evaluation of potential live donors. The required members of the live donor team include the transplant surgeon and physician, transplant coordinator, financial coordinator, transplant pharmacist, social worker, dietitian, and independent living donor advocate. Their roles and others are discussed, along with the necessary elements of the live donor informed consent process.