Test

Who schedules?

Information Obtained

Chest radiograph (xray)

Transplant Pulmonologist

Provides current view of patient’s heart and lungs.

Pulmonary function test

Transplant Pulmonologist

Provides one indication of the patient’s current  lung capacity and function  and the extent of damage to their lungs.

Six minute hall walk

Transplant Pulmonologist

Provides an indication of the activity level a patient can tolerate and the extent of damage to their lungs

Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan

Transplant Pulmonologist

Provides a detailed picture of the patient’s lungs, reflecting damage to lungs and/or nodules that may need additional follow up.  Used to plan for surgical procedure and to ensure no unknown health issues.

Test

Who schedules?

Information Obtained

Blood tests

Transplant Coordinator

Provides information to assist in determining:

1. how well a patient’s other organs function – such as kidneys and liver,
2. whether a patient has been exposed to common viruses
3. the info necessary to match organs to recipients

Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)

Transplant Coordinator

Provides a tracing of the electrical activity of the heart

Test

Who schedules?

Information Obtained

Heart Catheterization

Transplant Coordinator

To ensure a patient’s heart is in good condition prior to transplantation.   Provides information about any blockages that may exist in the arteries in or immediately surrounding the heart.   Also provides pulmonary artery pressure as an indication of the likelihood of needing cardio pulmonary bypass during surgery.

Echocardiogram

Transplant Coordinator

To ensure a patient’s heart is in good condition prior to transplantation.  Provides information about how the chambers of the heart muscle contract to empty the chambers during the electrical activities tracked in an EKG.

Bone Density Test

Transplant Coordinator

This test measures the amount of calcium in a specific region of the bone.   Bone density measurements prior to transplant will be used as comparisons for testing post transplant to display evidence or risk stratification for osteoporosis.   

Guaiac Stool (Annually)

Patient through Primary Care Provider

To ensure the patient has no undetected gastroenterologic health issues.   Provides information ensuring the absence of blood in the patient’s stool.

Dental Services:

1. Dental Exam
(every 6 months)

2. Dental Work – MUST be completed prior to transplant.

3. Dentures – Exam for fit.

Patient through private dentist.

1. To ensure the patient’s dental health.  Dentist must send letter including the date of the exam, the date the dental work was completed and address the condition of the patient’s oral health.

2. To ensure the patient’s dental health is stable prior to transplant.  Dentist must send letter including the date of the dental exam, the date the dental work was completed and address the condition of the patient’s oral health.

3. To ensure the dentures fit well and gums are healthy.  Dentist must send letter including the date of the exam, address the fit of the dentures and the condition of the patient’s oral health.

Pelvic Exam & Pap Smear (Annually)

FEMALE PATIENTS –
ALL

Patient through Primary Care Provider

To ensure the patient has not undetected reproductive health issues. 

Mammogram (Annually)

FEMALE PATIENTS – OVER 40 YEARS

Patient through Primary Care Provider

To ensure the patient has no undetected breast mass.

Digital Rectal Exam (Annually)

MALE PATIENTS – OVER 45 YEARS

Patient through Primary Care Provider

To ensure the patient has no undetected prostate mass.   Provides current information on the health of a man’s prostate.