Transplant

DPC Education Center staff member transplant story featured in television news report

Last summer, DPC Education Manager Joanne Smith successfully donated a kidney to one of her patients. The story was featured in a report done by Philadelphia-based ABC affiliate WPVI. To learn more about the kidney transplant process, visit our classroom and save the date for the next education call, Transplant 101 on February 17th.

New website aims to inform Latinos about kidney-related topics

Kidney failure in the Latino population has increased by more than 70 percent since 2000, according to federal statistics. Researchers and medical professionals find that Latinos are often unfamiliar with the transplant process. A new bilingual website, called Informate, aims to inform Latinos and other Spanish-speaking populations about kidney transplantation. The medium contains fact sheets, quizzes, telenovelas and other materials in both English and Spanish.  
 

Racial disparities in kidney transplantation rates eased by system’s new rules

Changes to the system that distributes deceased donor kidneys nationwide helped increase the rates of transplants for African American and Hispanics dialysis patients on the waiting list, according to a new study from Johns Hopkins University. The system’s old algorithm originally gave priority to patients based on how long they had been on the list. In December 2014, the algorithm was changed to give priority to patients based on how long they had been on dialysis. The goal of the changes was to increase transplant accessibility to minorities. 
 

Clinical trial results in early success for Wearable Artificial Kidney

A portable dialysis machine called the Wearable Artificial Kidney (WAK) is now on the fast track for FDA review within a few years. The status is the result of a clinical trial involving seven ESRD patients undergoing dialysis using the WAK for 24 hours. The device is worn like a tool belt and attached to the patient with a catheter. Researchers say the WAK successfully cleaned the patients’ blood while keeping the fluid and electrolyte levels in a safe range.

Study finds affluent patients might have advantage for organ transplants

Registering with more than one organ transplant center appears to work for wealthy patients over those with the most medical need, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015. Researchers studied the national database of organ donors from 2000 to 2013 and found that patients who simultaneously listed at more than one center had higher transplant rates; lower death rates while waiting, were wealthier and were more likely to be insured.

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