Kidney transplant candidates face a long and arduous process of medical testing to determine their eligibility for the procedure. This includes tests such as cardiac catheterization, CT scans, mammograms, and colonoscopies, which can take months to complete. Unfortunately, some patients never finish the testing, leading to delays in receiving a transplant or even worse outcomes.
However, a recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has shown promising results with a new approach called the Kidney Transplant Fast Track (KTFT). Led by Larissa Myaskovsky, Ph.D., a professor at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences, this “concierge” screening method aims to streamline the testing process for kidney transplant candidates. By coordinating and often performing the tests onsite at the transplant center, the KTFT approach has led to more patients receiving transplants and has eliminated racial and ethnic disparities in the process.
The study compared two groups of patients: one group that underwent the traditional testing regimen and another group that participated in the KTFT program. The results were clear – patients in the KTFT group were more likely to be placed on the active waitlist for a kidney transplant and ultimately receive a transplant compared to those in the control group. Additionally, the study found that disparities between African American and white patients were no longer present with the implementation of the KTFT system.
The success of the KTFT approach not only benefits patients but also the transplant center financially. By consolidating testing and care in-house, the center can generate more revenue and provide better care for patients. This new approach also offers clarity to patients who may not be eligible for a transplant, reducing the uncertainty and psychological distress that can come from waiting for test results.
The researchers are now looking to implement a similar screening protocol at New Mexico’s public safety-net hospital, where many uninsured patients receive care. By comparing the KTFT approach with a peer navigator program, which involves former transplant recipients guiding patients through the process, they hope to determine the most effective method for different patient populations.
Overall, the KTFT approach has shown great promise in improving the kidney transplant evaluation process and addressing disparities in access to care. The researchers are sharing their protocol in the hopes that other transplant centers will adopt this innovative approach to better serve their patients and improve transplant outcomes.
