The study was conducted at Yale-New Haven Transplant Center between 2004 and 2010. In that time, 378 patients underwent a traditional evaluation, while 527 had the one-day procedure. On average, it took 180 fewer days to be listed if a patient received the one-day evaluation. The one-day workup also had reduced waiting list disparities, which tend to disfavor minority groups and the economically disadvantaged. African Americans and Hispanics who underwent traditional evaluations had to wait, on average, 360 and 357 days to be listed, respectively. With the one-day work-up, listing times were reduced to 55 and 73 days, respectively.
Dr. Kulkarni also noted that reducing the wait time listing would cut down on the number of patients who become ineligible for a transplant while still on the list.
"More than 90,000 Americans are on the waiting list for kidney transplants and we certainly need more donors. But so many who suffer from kidney failure never even have a chance to get on the waiting list.," said Dr. Kerry Willis, NKD senior vice president for Scientific and Medical Activities. "Getting patients on the waiting list quickly should save lives, reduce disparities and improve transplant outcomes."
