As of November 1997, there were 275 transplant centers in the U.S. These centers are fully accredited and must meet a variety of stringent professional standards. Remember, this information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed to be medical advice. The best source for questions concerning your particular circumstance remains your personal physician.

When determining which transplant center(s) to list with, many patients simply choose the facility closest to them. But there are other important considerations, such as:

• Convenience: Travel time and costs associated with travel
• Cost: Cost of living in that area before and after transplant
• Follow-up Care: Routine check-ups, possible emergency care
• Moral Support: Availability of family and friends for help and moral support.

Evaluating Outcome Performance
To help patients evaluate transplant center performance, UNOS publishes a Report of Center Specific Graft and Patient Survival Rates, available online under Survival Data in this section. This report provides actual and expected graft (organ) and patient survival rates at each transplant program. This information helps patients compare survival outcomes of the transplant programs they are considering with the national average.

Multiple Listing
A patient may wish to register at more than one transplant center. However, each center determines who it accepts as candidates and reserves the right to decline patients who are listed at other centers. Patients should inform the centers they contact of their multiple listing plans.

Questions a Patient Should Ask
Patients should ask the following questions when evaluating a transplant center and its staff:

• What are the benefits and risks of transplantation?
• What are my choices besides transplantation?
• What does the evaluation and testing process include?
• How does it affect whether I am put on the list?
• What are the organ and patient survival rates for my type of transplant at this hospital?
• How many of my type of transplant do you perform each year?
• How long have you been doing them?
• What are your criteria for accepting organ offers?
• What part of the transplant cost is covered by my insurance?
• What financial coverage is accepted by the hospital?
• How much will I have to pay?
• What happens if my financial coverage runs out?
• Who are the members of the transplant team and what are their jobs?
• How many attending surgeons are available to do my type of transplant?
• Who will tell me about the transplant process?
• Is there a special nursing unit for transplant patients?
• Can I tour the transplant center?
• Will I be asked to take part in research studies?
• Does the hospital do living donor transplants?
• Is a living donor transplant a choice in my case?
• If so, where will the living donor evaluation be done?
• What are the organ acquisition costs if I have a living donor?