OPTN Regional Review
Since the OPTN was founded in 1986, it has used administrative boundaries, or “regions,” to organize OPTN governance and operations. The regions were broadly shaped by historical patterns of patient referral and non-local organ sharing. For over 34 years, these regional boundaries have supported the OPTN through representation, communication, operations, governance and data analysis. Since the creation of these administrative boundaries, the donation and transplantation community has evolved and advanced into what it is today.
We are committed to continuously improving our national transplant system
The Regional Review seeks to optimize governance and operational effectiveness answering fundamental questions, including:
- What are the OPTN Regions expected to accomplish – for the OPTN, for members, and for patients?
- What is the basis for geographic regions in the governance of OPTN in an era of broader geographic distribution?
- Does the current regions approach work?
- Is the current configuration of regions optimal?
- What other regional configurations might be considered?
- How many regions should there be?
- What basis (or bases) might be considered for reconfiguration?
About Regional Review
For more details about this project, please visit the OPTN Regional Review page.
Regional review vendor selected
The OPTN has selected EY to conduct the regional review to analyze the existing OPTN regional structure and provide recommendations to improve governance effectiveness. Learn more.
Results from the OPTN regional review questionnaire now available
A summary report of these results are now available on the regional review webpage. These results will be informational to EY, the selected vendor.
OPTN Regional Review Project Roadmap
| 2020 action | Timing |
|---|---|
| Request for community input | Summer |
| Issue RFP for external vendor to conduct the project | Fall |
| 2021 action | Timing |
|---|---|
| Selected external vendor EY to lead project. Learn more about EY. | Winter |
| EY will review community input and connect with the community. EY will study OPTN system, other national governance systems, and prepare recommendations for Board of Directors review | Spring |
| OPTN Board of Directors receives recommendations and evaluates options | Summer |
| Recommendations to be issued for public comment after review by the Board of Directors | Summer & Fall |
| Board of Directors considers recommendations from public comment and approves any changes | Winter |
| 2022 action | Timing |
|---|---|
| Final recommendations from the Board of Directors are issued for public comment. | Winter |
| Bylaw changes drafted | Summer |
| Board of Directors approves final changes | Early Summer |
| Implementation of Board-approved recommendations | To be determined |
Learn more
As part of the Regional Review, the OPTN has selected EY to evaluate the regional structure. The feedback from the first opportunity for community input is informational to EY.
Throughout the lifespan of the project, there will be additional opportunities for the community to provide input. EY will create a final assessment of the current structure with recommendations for change to the OPTN Board of Directors.
All proposed changes will be released for public comment prior to Board action.
For more details about this project, please visit the OPTN Regional Review page.