CTI Annual Report 2021 | Page 7

TXCONNECT REFERRAL PORTAL
PATIENT ASSISTANCE FUND

TXCONNECT REFERRAL PORTAL

The UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute ’ s TxConnect online portal ( uabmedicine . org / txrefer ) connects the CTI with 500 dialysis centers and nephrology practices throughout the southeast , making it easier for them to refer patients for kidney or pancreas transplant , transmit patient information without using a fax machine or other cumbersome methods , and keep tabs on their patients during the transplant journey .
Referring physicians or dialysis unit staff are able to enter patient demographics and upload medical records into a secure website , from which CTI staff transfer the information directly into our transplant database for easy cataloguing and sharing with UAB stakeholders . It also allows secure communication between UAB and referring doctors and stores those conversations in the patient ’ s electronic medical record . Patient status and appointments are easily viewable , too . The portal ’ s functionality is being integrated into the UAB Medicine Transplant app that launched in fall 2020 .
“ TxConnect has simplified the referral intake process , but the biggest benefit has been the automated communication with dialysis social workers throughout the region ,” says Brian Berthiaume , director of administrative operations for UAB ’ s transplant program . “ Our nephrology and dialysis partners have also benefitted by having a consolidated dashboard that shows the status of all their patients . They can have the most up-to-date information when they are chairside .”

PATIENT ASSISTANCE FUND

Transplant patients incur many expenses beyond what insurance covers . The UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute Patient Assistance Fund enables you to make a difference for these patients , living donors , and their families . Contributions cover a broad range of short-term expenses , including lodging near the hospital , prescriptions and medical supplies , transportation , and utilities .
To learn more about this philanthropic opportunity , contact Director of Development Christian Smith at ChristianNSmith @ uabmc . edu or 205-934-1974 , or give online at uab . edu / transplantpatientfund .
OUTREACH
Learn more about the portal and sign up for TxConnect at uabmedicine . org / txrefer . uabmedicine . org / refertransplant 5