Consensus Conference on Best Practices in Live Kidney Donation: Recommendations to Optimize Education, Access, and Care

TLDR

Live donor kidney transplantation is the best treatment for most late‑stage chronic kidney disease patients, yet the rate of living kidney donation has declined in the United States. The study summarizes consensus recommendations for best practices, future research priorities, and public policy initiatives to remove barriers to living kidney donation. A consensus conference held June 5–6, 2014 brought together transplant professionals, patients, and stakeholders to discuss education, evaluation efficiencies, disparities, and financial and systemic barriers to living kidney donation. The consensus recommendations emphasize best practices in education and clinical care, identify research priorities, and propose public policy initiatives to eliminate barriers to living kidney donation.

Abstract

Live donor kidney transplantation is the best treatment option for most patients with late-stage chronic kidney disease; however, the rate of living kidney donation has declined in the United States. A consensus conference was held June 5–6, 2014 to identify best practices and knowledge gaps pertaining to live donor kidney transplantation and living kidney donation. Transplant professionals, patients, and other key stakeholders discussed processes for educating transplant candidates and potential living donors about living kidney donation; efficiencies in the living donor evaluation process; disparities in living donation; and financial and systemic barriers to living donation. We summarize the consensus recommendations for best practices in these educational and clinical domains, future research priorities, and possible public policy initiatives to remove barriers to living kidney donation. Live donor kidney transplantation is the best treatment option for most patients with late-stage chronic kidney disease; however, the rate of living kidney donation has declined in the United States. A consensus conference was held June 5–6, 2014 to identify best practices and knowledge gaps pertaining to live donor kidney transplantation and living kidney donation. Transplant professionals, patients, and other key stakeholders discussed processes for educating transplant candidates and potential living donors about living kidney donation; efficiencies in the living donor evaluation process; disparities in living donation; and financial and systemic barriers to living donation. We summarize the consensus recommendations for best practices in these educational and clinical domains, future research priorities, and possible public policy initiatives to remove barriers to living kidney donation.