Patient Rights & Documentation

Your Rights as a Transplant Patient

The Right to Information

• You have the right to receive clear, understandable information about your diagnosis and treatment options.
• You can ask any physician or medical staff member questions at any reasonable moment.
• You have the right to copies of your medical records.
• You can request translations or interpreters if needed.

The Right to Make Decisions

• You have the right to accept or refuse any treatment, including transplant evaluation or listing.
• You can seek a second opinion from another transplant center without penalty.
• You can change your mind about treatment decisions at any time.
• You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.

The Right to Advocacy

• You can designate a healthcare proxy or power of attorney to make decisions if you cannot.
• Your caregiver has the right to call transplant centers and ask questions on your behalf.
• You can file complaints or concerns with the transplant program or hospital patient advocate.
• You can contact UNOS (the organ procurement network) with concerns about your care.

The Right to Fair Treatment

• Transplant centers cannot discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or disability.
• You have the right to appeal if you believe you've been unfairly evaluated or listed.
• Financial concerns should not prevent you from receiving evaluation—ask about financial assistance.

Documentation Checklist

Keep these documents organized and accessible:

Resources

• UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) — Organ transplant policy and data
• OrganDonor.gov — Federal organ donation information
• SRTR (Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients) — Transplant program data
• Transplant Living — Patient education and support