TGMG >> For Patients >> Referral Process
For Patients
Referral Process

Non-Transplant Patients

 

If you are interested in becoming a patient of one of our Tampa General Medical Group specialists, or would like a second opinion, please have the following information faxed to (813) 844-5860.

 

  • Office notes last three visits, diagnostic testing such as PET scan, MRI, CT and Ultrasounds, Echo, EKG, EGD and Colonoscopy’s.
  •  Last six months of lab’s and /or Tumor markers.
  •  If you’ve had a recent hospital stay other than TGH please provide those reports as well.
  • Please also hand carry a CD’s of the diagnostic testing you’ve had performed so that our Doctors can review those with you in the room.

 

To expedite your request, please provide as much information as you can. We will contact you within 7 business days. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the TGMG case managers by calling (813) 844-5507. 

 

Transplant Patients

 

If you would like to be seen by one of our transplant physicians, please call 1-800-844-8686 or ask your physician to complete a transplant programs referral form.  Click here to download.

The Initial Visit

 

The initial visit is the first step in the transplantation process for eligible patients, for any organ. During this visit, you will meet a transplant coordinator and the primary physician who will direct your progress through the transplant evaluation process. This visit allows the transplant team members to review your medical history, current medications and answer your questions.

 

You'll be asked to bring any laboratory test results, x-rays, or EKGs and a current list of your medications to this visit. You may eat, drink, and take your medications as usual.

 

This appointment may take three to four hours. The results may be one of the following:

    • Your condition is too early to be considered for transplantation
    • Further diagnostic tests are needed to further investigate your illness. These tests can be done through your primary care physician.
    • You have other medical conditions that do not allow us to consider you for transplantation because transplant surgery would be more harmful to you than beneficial.

 

There are no absolute contraindications noted and your condition warrants a full transplant evaluation in the near future. In that case, the transplant physician will discuss his/her opinion with you before your visit ends.

 

The Transplant Evaluation

 

During this phase of the transplant process, you will go through medical testing, a psychosocial assessment, and consultations with our transplant physicians to see if you are a potential candidate for organ transplantation. This is also a time for you and your family to learn as much about transplantation as possible.

 

If your condition is stable, your evaluation may be done on an outpatient basis, and you’ll go home at night. During the day, you’ll be assigned a private room in our outpatient clinic. The evaluation usually takes place over three to four days. Each day’s visit will last between 10 and 12 hours. You will be able to rest in your room between tests, and consultations and meals will be provided.

 

Please do not eat anything after midnight on the day before your appointment. You may drink water. We will take fasting blood samples. The coordinator involved in your evaluation will call you before your appointment and let you know if there are medications that we don’t want you to take.

 Your test results will be presented to our transplant medical review board, which meets once a week. This board, consisting of transplant physicians and specialists but not your transplant doctor or coordinator, makes the decision about transplant candidates.

 

The results may be one of the following:

  • You are too early to be considered for transplantation.
  • Diagnostic tests are needed to further investigate your illness. These tests can be done through your personal physician.
  • You have other medical or psychosocial conditions that do not allow us to consider you for transplantation because transplant surgery would be more harmful to you than beneficial.
  • There are no contraindications noted in your evaluation and the medical review board has identified you as a good candidate for transplant surgery. As soon as authorization has been obtained from your insurance carrier, you will be placed on the waiting list.