Referral Information: For Physicians and Dialysis Centers

We pride ourselves on our commitment to quality patient care, which is why we want to make your referral process as pleasant and smooth as possible.

Listed below are the documents and information necessary for timely, accurate processing of patient referrals:

• Completed Transplant Referral Form
• Completed New Patient Packet
• Copy of the front and back of the patient’s insurance card(s)

We have a dedicated staff of administrative professionals, registered nurses, and financial coordinators who will keep you informed via telephone, fax, and written communication regarding your patient’s progress throughout the transplant evaluation process.

Click here to view a flowchart of the Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Process.

Quarterly Status Reports

Quarterly Patient Status Reports will be mailed to your office or center indicating the status of every patient you have referred to our transplant program.  They may be sent at your request as well.

Please feel free to contact our main office at 706-721-2888 or 800-736-2273 extension 2888 if you have any questions or concerns regarding your patients.

Click here to view a sample Patient Status Report.

Who should be referred?

• We suggest that preparation for dialysis and transplantation be made at the same time so that, if transplantation is not possible, dialysis can be instituted when necessary.
• Patients may be evaluated and placed on the deceased donor transplant waiting list at any time, but will begin accruing time points only when their creatinine clearance is 20 mL/min or less.
• Patients may be referred if their body mass index (BMI) is 38 or lower.  To calculate BMI, click here.
• Patients with ongoing addiction to alcohol or drugs are not transplant candidates.

Click here to view full exclusionary criteria.

Outreach Nurse Coordinator

Marilyn Hedrick, RN is our Outreach Coordinator. She functions as our liaison with the referring nephrologists and dialysis care teams to ensure satisfaction and ease of referral. She provides on-site visits to share our processes and communication tools. She can provide in-service training to your staff to facilitate smooth and efficient patient progression through our transplant program. Marilyn also uses this opportunity to assess what we may do differently to assist your patients in achieving the goal of transplantation and ease the process of post transplant transition of care back to the referring nephrology practice. Additionally, Marilyn teaches our Transplant Orientation Class at our satellite locations. Listed below is a sample of topics that Marilyn may come and discuss with your staff: Patient information packets Referral forms Financial clearance Patient education materials Orientation class content and schedules Quarterly patient status reports To schedule an on-site visit with Marilyn, you may contact her directly at 706-840-5654.  Alternately, you may contact the main transplant office at 706-721-2888 (local), 800-736-2273 extension 2888 (toll-free).