GW Hospital Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Institute Approved

New Alternative for DC Residents Seeking Transplant

WASHINGTON, Jan 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The George Washington University Hospital is pleased to announce that a District of Columbia administrative law judge has given the hospital permission to initiate a kidney and pancreas transplant program. This decision now opens the doors to people in the District of Columbia to have the opportunity to receive treatment for kidney and pancreatic diseases at The George Washington University Hospital. Research indicates that the need for transplant surgery is growing due to the large number of dialysis patients in the region.  Nearly 2,000 individuals undergo kidney dialysis treatments in the District of Columbia.

"We are now prepared to initiate plans to launch our kidney and pancreas transplant program and to serve those residents in a more comprehensive way as we expand our scope of services," said Barry Wolfman, CEO and Managing Director of The George Washington University Hospital. "Our hospital is uniquely positioned to provide the comprehensive care and specialty services required to care for transplant surgery patients, as well as, further establish GW as a leader among Academic Medical Centers."

The administrative judge's approval overturns an earlier decision by the District of Columbia State Health Planning and Development Agency. The Hospital will now submit its application for membership with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and pursue certification by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

All aspects of the kidney and pancreas donation and transplant process will be performed at both GW Hospital and GWU Medical Faculty Associates, from initial evaluations to surgical procedures and the necessary after-care. The Hospital will perform transplants from both live and deceased donors. 

"Today, GW Hospital is ready to embark on a journey to provide high-quality renal (kidney) disease services to all residents in the District of Columbia and the metropolitan region," said Dominic Raj, MD, Director of the Division of Renal Disease and Hypertension at GW Hospital. "The objective is to ensure ready access to the level of care most appropriate to the patient's needs within a system of total patient care."

Recognizing that transplant surgery is particularly complex and requires a life-long commitment to managing a patient's recovery, GW Hospital will develop a genuine co-management approach to patient care. Beginning with the evaluation process, continuing through the pre-transplant and transplant process, through recovery and life management, GW's team is committed to communication, consultation and patient support.

"Our team has worked to create a program that is comprehensive, clinically sound and dedicated to meet the needs of patients and their families throughout the Washington Metropolitan region," said Anton Sidawy, MD, Chairman of the Department of Surgery at GW Hospital. "We are committed to patient satisfaction and providing attending and referring physicians with the appropriate resources and support, including quick responses to patient referrals and consult requests." 

SOURCE The George Washington University Hospital