Kidney & Pancreas Transplant

Research leads to the development of new, more effective surgical and transplantation techniques. Our transplantation experts are actively involved in clinical trials, so they can employ the latest medical advancements into their patients’ care. And eligible patients can participate in a clinical trial helping to pioneer and benefit from new promising treatments.

participate in a study

When a kidney fails, treatment is needed to replace the diseased kidney with one that works. There are two types of treatment for kidney failure — dialysis or transplantation. Many people prefer kidney transplantation as a long-term treatment because it offers more freedom and a better quality of life than dialysis.

If you or a loved one have end-stage renal disease, the UW Medicine Kidney Care and Transplant Program offers comprehensive and compassionate care with a special emphasis on living donor kidney transplantation. If you are interested in donating a kidney please take the Potential Living Kidney Donor Screening and our Independent Donor Advocate will follow up with you.

UW Medicine’s transplant team is experienced at planning and performing sophisticated living-donor transplants.

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Patients with type 1 diabetes — an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas stops producing the hormone insulin — may qualify for a pancreas transplant as well as a kidney transplant, if it's determined that it's needed. A successful pancreas transplant can allow the patient to control blood sugar without needing to use insulin because the new pancreas will create it for them. Patients no longer have problems with very low blood sugars (hypoglycemia), or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or coma from very high sugars (hyperglycemia), all of which can be life-threatening. Normal blood sugars can prevent or sometimes reverse long-term complications of diabetes.

Inform yourself to make the best choices for your health and care with UW Medicine patient education resources.

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Support is an important part of your care beyond treatment. Support groups and community resources can help you and your loved ones through your medical journey and recovery.

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Providers: To have your patient evaluated as a candidate for kidney transplantation, download and complete the kidney transplant referral checklist below and fax it to 206.598.7176. If you have any questions about the program or want to schedule an appointment, call 206.598.3882.

download form

Patients being considered for a kidney transplant undergo a variety of evaluations to test psychological, social and physical readiness. Blood and other diagnostic tests are performed to identify a donor match and gain a picture of overall health before the procedure.

Ours is the only transplant center in the region with a specialized transplant infectious disease (ID) team. The transplant ID team consists of a group of board-certified ID physicians with expertise in transplant infections. Though close attention and monitoring, our care team works with you to minimize the risk of infection following the transplant procedure. Infection can occur in the new organ or the tissue surrounding it. Your care team will also monitor for any bronchial tube problems following the transplant.

The below guide to transplantation and visual transplantation map are available for your information.

If you have questions, please call the pre-transplant kidney line at 206.598.3882.

Guide to transplantation

Transplantation map

Team Transplant was established at UW Medical Center in 2001 to promote physical activity and organ donation awareness. The team's goal is to train for and complete local walking and running events.

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