We had a patient who completed an inpatient evaluation for both liver and kidney transplantation. Prior to transfer to our center, this patient had endured multiple hospitalizations at an outside facility. After evaluation at our hospital, the patient was deemed appropriate for liver and kidney listing. However, the process was challenging.

To list a patient for a kidney transplant, strict documentation is required: either a specific lab value or proof of dialysis at least once every seven days for a total of seven weeks. Because this patient had been admitted to various facilities and received outpatient dialysis between admissions, the necessary documentation was extremely difficult to obtain. After a thorough review of the record, we did not have adequate documentation for kidney listing.

The hepatology team recommended proceeding with liver-only listing, and the patient was listed for liver transplant late on a Friday evening. The next morning—on her day off—Lizaida could not rest knowing that this patient might miss the opportunity for a life-saving simultaneous liver-kidney transplant. She took it upon herself to continue the work. Lizaida called the outside hospital and obtained additional lab values that had not been sent previously. She then reached out to the dialysis unit, reviewed their documentation in detail, and cross-referenced records.

Through her persistence, she was able to gather the missing labs and dialysis records necessary for the patient to qualify for kidney listing. After confirming the findings with a teammate (whom she rallied on their day off as well), Lizaida quickly listed the patient for a kidney. From Friday night to Saturday evening, the patient was called for a liver alone offer and was pending liver transplant. Lizaida knew that she needed to act quickly, so she then contacted the organ placement and procurement teams to advocate that the patient’s liver-alone offer be reconsidered as a simultaneous liver-kidney offer.

Because of her tireless work, the offer was successfully changed, and the patient received both a liver and a kidney transplantation. Lizaida spent nearly 12 hours of her personal time on a Saturday ensuring this patient received the best possible care. Her extraordinary dedication, clinical expertise, and relentless advocacy directly resulted in a successful dual-organ transplant.

This is the true essence of nursing—going above and beyond for patients, ensuring no detail is overlooked, and never giving up on providing the best possible outcome. Lizaida’s commitment exemplifies compassionate, patient-centered care.