After transplant surgery, patients will remain in the hospital until they are ready to go to a nearby hotel. Length of stay in the hospital depends on the patient’s health; how well the new kidney is working and the patient’s ability to care for the new kidney.

Patients and their caregivers will receive pre and post-transplant education materials. They will learn:

• How to care for the kidney
• How to care for themselves after they are discharged, including monitoring of lab values
• About their new medications and how frequently these must be taken
• About possible complications, such as rejection and infection

Our goal at MUSC Transplant Center is to provide the patient and family with key information about the pre-transplant evaluation and listing process, transplant surgery and post-transplant care so the patient can make an informed decision about transplant and successfully participate in their post-transplant care.

The information will be provided before wait list placement and again before transplant surgery. Patients are asked to review and sign a Patient Acknowledgement Form, indicating they have reviewed and understand all of the key information.