Transplantready

Transplantready is a term used in transplantation medicine to describe a patient who meets the practical and clinical requirements to proceed with organ transplantation. It denotes a status where a person is considered appropriate for listing on an organ waitlist and capable of adhering to the demanding treatment and follow-up that transplantation entails.

Assessment for transplant readiness is conducted by a multidisciplinary team and typically includes medical evaluation (organ function, comorbidities, infection status, nutritional status), psychosocial assessment (mental health, coping strategies, substance use history, support network), and logistical considerations (ability to attend follow-up visits, transportation, financial resources, understanding of the procedure, and consent). Adherence history and potential barriers to long-term immunosuppression are weighed, as nonadherence is a major risk factor for poor outcomes.

The readiness determination is dynamic and organ-specific. Kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, and intestine programs may have different criteria and scoring systems. Patients may move toward or away from transplantready status as medical conditions evolve, new infections arise, or social circumstances change. Listing on the organ waitlist is subject to allocation policies that vary by country and region and may depend on urgency, tissue type, and compatibility. Being transplantready does not guarantee transplantation; organ availability, time on the waitlist, and changes in health can alter eligibility.

Outcomes associated with transplantation include improved survival and quality of life for many recipients, albeit with lifelong immunosuppression and risk of complications. Ongoing post-transplant care is required to monitor rejection, infection, and medication effects.

See also: organ transplant, waitlisting, donor eligibility, immunosuppression, post-transplant care.