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MEDICAID NOTICE: Lurie Children’s continues to serve all patients enrolled in Medicaid. As a safety-net hospital, we will continue providing high-quality care to every child who needs us.

AVISO SOBRE MEDICAID: Lurie Children’s continúa atendiendo a todos los pacientes inscritos en Medicaid. Como hospital perteneciente a la red de protección social, continuaremos brindando atención de alta calidad a cada niño que nos necesite.

Lurie Children’s Home Specialties & ConditionsKidney Transplantation ProgramPre- & Post-Op​erative Care for Kidney Transplants After the Transplant

Post Kidney Transplant

After transplant surgery, your child will go directly to Lurie Children’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Approximately one hour a​fter arrival in the PICU, you will be able to come into the room to see your child.

Pain medication and sedation will be used to keep your child comfortable. Also, they will have several IV's and a Foley catheter in their bladder. The nurse in the PICU will explain the purpose of the monitors and tubes that your child has attached at this time. Before you enter your child's room, you will be asked to wash your hands, because hand washing is the most important way to protect your child from infection after surgery.

A typical stay in the PICU is one day. During that time:

  • ​Your child will have a nurse that is constantly monitoring their progress. The PICU nurses will encourage you to participate in your child's care as much as you like.
  • Visiting hours in the PICU are from 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Healthy parents/guardians may visit 24 hours a day. Due to the large amount of equipment and limited space, we ask that only two people be at the bedside at any one time. Anyone who has been exposed to communicable diseases or who is ill (colds, flu, etc.) cannot visit the PICU. Learn more about visiting.
  • Due to the limited space and activity of the unit, we do not allow parents to sleep at the bedside. We can, however, provide one cot per family to sleep in the parent waiting area.

When the transplant team feels that your child is ready, they will be transferred to the inpatient floor. Your child will need to b​egin walking around their room and participating in activities to increase their strength. The nurses on the floor and the transplant team will then teach your family how to take care of your child at home. If all goes well, your child should be able to go home after approximately one week.