Kidney Week 2025 Early Program - Care of Kidney Transplant Candidates and Recipients-Moderated Discussion

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Panelists discuss practical barriers in kidney transplant waitlist management and access. One question addresses pressure to reduce “inactive” patients on the waitlist when remaining listed is medically appropriate (e.g., improved but still qualifying kidney function). The response emphasizes prioritizing patient-centered medical judgment and notes that qualifying wait time can be restored later via OPTN petition if needed. The discussion then shifts to workforce shortages, transportation, satellite clinics, and whether community health workers or dialysis staff are most trusted to help patients navigate transplant evaluation. Speakers highlight fragmented communication, frequent coordinator changes, and lack of transparency about evaluation status, alongside “unbillable” coordination work. System incentives are debated: dialysis companies lack financial motivation to promote transplantation, while nephrologists and transplant centers face mandates and resource constraints. Training gaps in nephrology and dialysis exposure are cited. Highly sensitized patients are discussed, including desensitization (IVIG, rituximab, plasmapheresis, imlifidase) and geographic inequities in access. Obesity barriers, GLP-1 medications, insurance limitations, and the principle of transplant benefit over BMI cutoffs conclude the session.

Asset Subtitle

Roy D. Bloom, Samira S. Farouk, Edmund Huang, Syed Ali Husain, Vineeta Kumar, Karin A. True

Meta Tag

Module TRX

Speaker FACULTY FACULTY

Keywords

kidney transplant waitlist management

OPTN petition and wait time restoration

transplant evaluation navigation and care coordination

workforce shortages and transportation barriers

highly sensitized patients and desensitization therapies

obesity and BMI criteria in transplant eligibility