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What to expect
You will come to the transplant clinic frequently in the first few months — at the beginning, twice a week. These visits help us monitor your new kidney and adjust medications as needed.
Over time, your visits will become less frequent. Most patients are seen every four to six months by the second year after transplant.
Attending your appointments
We want you to have the best possible outcomes. Research shows that regularly coming to your transplant clinic appointments is strongly linked with the long-term success of your transplanted kidney.
These visits are essential. They allow our doctors and nurses to assess your health through blood tests, urine tests and physical examinations. Your health and well-being are our top priorities.
We understand that life can be unpredictable and that challenges — like transportation, work or caregiving responsibilities — can make it hard to attend appointments. Reach out if you need to reschedule. We want to help and work with you to find solutions so you can continue receiving the care you need. The social worker can help explore options for transportation assistance, disability accommodations or support letters for work if you’re struggling to attend appointments.
Lab work and drug levels
Blood work helps the team learn more about the health of your kidneys. We recommend completing your blood work one to two weeks before your appointment. This allows the team to review and discuss your results with you during your clinic visit.
Anti-rejection (immunosuppressant) drug levels help us know if you are receiving the right amount of medication to protect your new kidney while minimizing side effects you can experience with the medication. The timing of your bloodwork is important and depends on the medication you are taking:
- Tacrolimus (Prograf/Advagraf/Envarsus): We measure a trough level, meaning your bloodwork must be drawn at a specific time before or after your last dose.
- Advagraf and Envarsus: Bloodwork must be done 24 hours after your last dose and before taking your next dose.
- Prograf: Bloodwork is done 12 hours after the last dose. Before taking your morning dose.
- Cyclosporine: Bloodwork may be ordered as either a trough level or 2-hour post-dose level. Please follow the specific instructions provided by your transplant team.
- Sirolimus: Trough level bloodwork must be done 24 hours after your last dose.
In the first few months, most bloodwork needs to be done at The Ottawa Hospital to ensure your post-transplant team can review it in a timely manner. Follow the directions on your lab requisition and ask the clinic team if you are unsure.
Lab hours
Monday to Friday 7:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed on statutory holidays.
Who you’ll meet
Doctors and nurse practitioners who specialize in transplant care. A doctor or a nurse practitioner will take a lead on your health care.
Your first point of contact for concerns, education and day-to-day follow-up.
Reviews your medications and helps with side effects or interactions.
Supports healthy eating and safe food choices after transplant.
Helps navigate emotional support, medication coverage, financial concerns, return-to-work planning, housing concerns and access to community or disability supports and more.
Contact us
Post-transplant nurse
613-738-8400 ext. 82742
Post-transplant clerk
613-738-8400 ext. 82788