RESOURCES – OUTREACH
TXACCESS REFERRAL PORTAL
The UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute ’ s TxAccess online portal ( uabmedicine . org / txrefer ) connects the CTI with numerous 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 .
As of July 2022 , the CTI has received 646 referrals through the portal . Active user accounts include 175 dialysis units and 13 nephrology practices .
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 .
“ I like the transplant portal much better than faxing in documents , as scanning them will keep them stored electronically under each patient ’ s transplant file , so things don ’ t go missing ,” says Tarja , a dialysis social worker . “ My favorite thing about the portal is being able to send electronic messages to the transplant coordinators .”
“ The portal has been extremely beneficial in the timeliness of submitting referrals and sharing documents pertaining to the patient ’ s evaluation recommendations ,” says Brittany , another dialysis social worker and Tx Access portal user . “ I also feel that the chat option has been helpful in maintaining active communication among our teams . Our clinics are proud to work with the UAB transplant team and thankful for the work you do for our patients .”
Learn more about the TxAccess portal and sign up for an account at uabmedicine . org / txrefer .
PATIENT EDUCATION VIDEOS
To help our patients at every stage of the transplant process , the UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute created a series of organ-specific educational videos that cover a wide range of topics relevant to both preand post-transplant patients . The videos were especially helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic , as much of the information provided in them previously was shared through in-person classes that were not safe to conduct at that time .
In addition , sharing this information through videos in advance of the evaluation visit rather than in a class setting allows patients to refer back to them as needed and share with family and friends . It also reduces time spent in clinic , which improves the patient experience . We believe this option also can make it easier for referring physicians to share information with their patients on what to expect in their transplant journey .
“ The videos helped alleviate my fear and anxiety ahead of surgery , and they strengthened my trust in the transplant team . They gave me peace of mind and helped manage my expectations about the journey I was making .”
James Belton , kidney transplant recipient , March 2022
Scan these QR codes with your smart device to view the relevant transplant patient education videos online .
KIDNEY LIVER LUNG HEART
46 UAB CTI Report