Lizaida Moreno
August 2025
Lizaida
Moreno
,
RN
Transplant Services
University Health Hospital
San Antonio
,
TX
United States
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 listing process was challenging.
To qualify a patient for a kidney transplant, strict documentation is required: either confirmation of a specific lab value (GFR) or proof of dialysis at least once every seven days for a total of seven weeks. Because this patient had been admitted to multiple hospitals and received outpatient dialysis between admissions, gathering the necessary documentation was extremely difficult.
After a thorough record review, it initially appeared that we did not have sufficient documentation for kidney listing. The hepatology team recommended proceeding with liver-only listing, and the patient was listed for a 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 working on the case.
She called the outside hospital and obtained additional lab values that had not previously been sent. She also 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 dialysis and lab documentation required for simultaneous transplant eligibility.
After confirming her findings with a teammate (who she also rallied on their day off), Lizaida quickly listed the patient for a kidney transplant.
Because the patient already had a pending liver-only offer, timing was critical. Recognizing this urgency, Lizaida immediately contacted the organ placement and procurement teams, advocating for the offer to be reconsidered as a simultaneous liver-kidney transplant.
Her tireless work paid off. The offer was successfully converted, and the patient received both a new liver and a new kidney.
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 life-saving dual-organ transplant.
This is the true essence of nursing—going above and beyond, ensuring no detail is overlooked, and never giving up on achieving the best outcome for a patient. Lizaida’s commitment exemplifies compassionate and patient-centered care.
To qualify a patient for a kidney transplant, strict documentation is required: either confirmation of a specific lab value (GFR) or proof of dialysis at least once every seven days for a total of seven weeks. Because this patient had been admitted to multiple hospitals and received outpatient dialysis between admissions, gathering the necessary documentation was extremely difficult.
After a thorough record review, it initially appeared that we did not have sufficient documentation for kidney listing. The hepatology team recommended proceeding with liver-only listing, and the patient was listed for a 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 working on the case.
She called the outside hospital and obtained additional lab values that had not previously been sent. She also 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 dialysis and lab documentation required for simultaneous transplant eligibility.
After confirming her findings with a teammate (who she also rallied on their day off), Lizaida quickly listed the patient for a kidney transplant.
Because the patient already had a pending liver-only offer, timing was critical. Recognizing this urgency, Lizaida immediately contacted the organ placement and procurement teams, advocating for the offer to be reconsidered as a simultaneous liver-kidney transplant.
Her tireless work paid off. The offer was successfully converted, and the patient received both a new liver and a new kidney.
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 life-saving dual-organ transplant.
This is the true essence of nursing—going above and beyond, ensuring no detail is overlooked, and never giving up on achieving the best outcome for a patient. Lizaida’s commitment exemplifies compassionate and patient-centered care.