Quality and Outcomes Reports - Solid Organ Transplant

Median Time on Wait List

Why we measure it - Shorter wait times mean patients generally are healthier and have fewer complications, which lead to fewer deaths while on the wait list resulting in better outcomes overall. 


What this means - Children's Hospital of Wisconsin has shorter wait times to transplant for heart and kidney transplants compared to the national average.

About the data - These data reflect the number of months patients waited for pediatric kidney transplants and pediatric heart transplants compared to the national average. The national comparison data include all adult and pediatric transplant centers.

Related dimensions of care:

What we're doing to provide the best care:

  • Our 72-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit is staffed by board-certified and pediatric-trained critical care specialists and anesthesiologists with subspecialty training in pediatric anesthesiology. Most are board certified in multiple areas such as pediatric medicine, critical care and pain management.
  • Anesthesiologists keep patients comfortable and safe during surgery and complex non-surgical procedures using a range of specialized medicines and equipment. Because children have different health care needs, experience sedating children is key to ensuring their safety. Sedatives are powerful medicines, and having a specialized, trained anesthesiologist at the bedside makes it safer for your child.
  • Each patient has a transplant coordinator who closely manages the care before and after surgery.
  • Children's Hospital's Solid Organ Transplant Program ranks in the top 25 percent of pediatric transplant programs for volume.
  • We offer ABO-incompatible heart transplants, which decreases wait times and prevents wait-list deaths.
  • Children's Hospital is one of the first centers with successful application of a virtual cross-match strategy for heart transplant patients. Virtual cross-match can lead to better outcomes and shorter wait-list times and allows transplant physicians to risk-stratify patients eligible for heart transplant. Collaborating with the BloodCenter of Wisconsin allows Children's Hospital to transplant more patients who are highly sensitized.
  • Heart and kidney transplant patients have access to pediatric physical and occupational therapy, speech and rehabilitation specialists to enhance and speed recovery. A dedicated pediatric psychologist, pharmacist, social worker and Child Life specialist consistently are involved to help children and families through the transplant process and facilitate the transition to home, school and work.

Patients and families:

  • Take a virtual tour of Children's Hospital, which will help prepare you and your child for a hospital stay.
  • Be an advocate for your child. Participate in daily bedside clinical discussions, provide any information about your child that may be helpful to staff.
  • Follow medical instructions fully and carefully before and after surgery.
  • Ask questions if you don't understand the plan of care or if you are not sure how to care for your child at home.
  • Attend all follow-up appointments.

Referring physicians:

  • Referring physicians can access our specialists for consultation or transport 24 hours a day. Call our physician referral line at (800) 266-0366.  
  • Health care providers from outside of our southeastern Wisconsin service area are encouraged to use our web-based
    e-Consult service. This service is available for non-urgent patient cases only and gives providers access to our specialists to review patient cases, obtain medical advice or second opinions, and receive care recommendations for rare symptoms and illnesses.
    e-Consult is not to be used by the general public, parents/guardians or families.
  • Care guidelines for medical professionals
  • Educational materials
  • Pocket Directory

If you have questions about these data or information, email us or call (414) 266-6556.