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Data collection

How UNOS collects data

UNOS developed the online database system UNetSM to collect, store, analyze and publish all OPTN data that pertains to the patient waiting list, organ matching, and number of transplants performed. The OPTN has tracked every organ donation and transplant event occurring in the U.S. since Oct. 1, 1987. Learn more about the technology that powers transplants.

What do we do with this data?

UNOS research staff aggregate national OPTN data and analyze trends in transplantation, and make this data available to researchers, patients and the public at large. By tracking data at national, regional and individual institutional levels, UNOS researchers strive to:

  • develop strategies to drive improvement
  • continually refine transplantation policies to identify and address inequities in transplant
  • develop system tools to allow for more efficient donor and recipient matching
  • identify opportunities to increase the number of transplants
  • provide powerful research and data analytics to members in order to contribute to collective knowledge of effective organ transplantation

Data collection forms

The data collection forms below show what data elements the OPTN currently collects. Transplant hospitals, histocompatibility laboratories, and organ procurement organizations enter data into the OPTN database in UNetSM.

Pre-transplant information is derived primarily from the waitlist and match runs. Transplant professionals enter some pre-transplant information about both candidates and recipients and post-transplant information about recipients on organ-specific OPTN data collection forms. Information used to reconcile donor and recipient data about the transplant is entered on the Donor Organ Disposition record.

Data collection

OPTN data collection forms have been updated

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Data definition updates

Find list of revised data definitions to answer member questions about existing data fields and to clarify new requirements.

Data definition updates

UNetSM

Enter data on candidates, recipients and donors. If you can’t access the site, your hospital or OPO site administrator can help you.

UNet login

Technology that saves lives 24/7

OPTN Board-approved allocation policies rely on specific mathematical formulas unique to particular organs.

These calculators, which use the same formula as the UNetSM computer system, help create a numerical scale for candidates on the waiting list and those scales are used in the allocation process.

Allocation calculators

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