We can track Amazon packages — why not lifesaving organs?

We can track the shoes we ordered from Amazon, and we can follow along as our pizza is baked and delivered by Domino’s. So why shouldn’t we be able to track organs that will save the life of someone in need of a transplant?

Every donated organ is a gift, and should not be lost, delayed in transit or damaged. That’s why UNOS is taking the lead to push for the federal government to mandate the use of physical tracking for unaccompanied deceased donor organs. This is the best way to ensure each gift of life reaches its destination.

Incredibly, there is currently no national tracking system for donor organs. That means organ procurement organizations (OPOs), transplant hospitals and the federal government lack consistent insight into the status of organs during transit to a patient waiting for a transplant.

UNOS has taken action, as a private entity, in developing and launching its own organ tracking solution, currently in use by 12 OPOs across the country.  UNOS’ organ trackers have successfully tracked more than 20,000 organ shipments.

But UNOS’ work is not enough. The federal government must require, develop and enact a solution for national systemwide organ tracking.

A national, centralized and mandatory tracking system would give key organ transplant stakeholders maximum visibility into the transportation of life-saving organs. It would also enable thorough investigations of lost or delayed organs, which is critical to implementing systemwide improvements.

This concept has been discussed for several years but requires federal action. A key priority in 2025 for the new Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services should be to direct the Health Resources and Services Administration to establish a federal tracking system that uses physical tracking technology as part of the OPTN modernization efforts. More lives can and will be saved through this change.