By organ
By program
UNet
Policy
Patient safety
Improvement
Learn
Perspectives
COVID
All
Top stories
UNOS applauds passage of FAA reauthorization bill
Workgroup to review organs transported via commercial flights
UNOS statement on OPTN requests for proposals
UNOS CEO statement on the OPTN request for proposals issued on May 2, 2024
UNOS unveils new artwork honoring organ donors and recipients
The mural by acclaimed artist Hamilton Glass recognizes the far-reaching impact of organ donation and pays tribute to organ donors
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
Kidney – Pancreas
Webinar to address kidney-after-thoracic safety net, combined kidney-thoracic allocation
The webinar will be recorded and made available for later viewing.
Two-year monitoring report continues to show improvements in equity in access to kidney transplants for several key populations
New data monitoring report contains key measures of the current kidney allocation system, 2-years post implementation.
New data fields available June 29 to prepare for simultaneous heart-kidney and lung-kidney allocation
Updating data in advance will ensure candidates get priority when the policy takes effect.
Liver – Intestine
Improvements to MELD, PELD, Status 1A and Status 1B to take effect July 13
Educational and resource materials are available to support implementation.
Webinars to address improvements to MELD, PELD, Status 1A/1B
Webinars will be recorded for later access.
UNOS supports the Living Donor Protection Act
UNOS is proud to continue supporting the Living Donor Protection Act, providing vital protections for living organ donors.
Heart – Lung
Implementation notice: Lung policy modification for blood type
Effective Sept. 27, 2023, the points assigned for blood type in lung allocation have been updated
Pre-implementation notice: Lung policy modification for blood type
Effective Sept. 27, 2023, the points assigned for blood type in lung allocation will be updated.
Impella 5.5 devices can now be reported in Waitlist and TIEDI
New device option added to menu
VCA
OPTN Board approves improvements to medical urgency scoring of liver transplant candidates
The actions will increase the equity of access to liver transplant, and were among a number of additional measures adopted by the board.
Pre-implementation notice: Updates to living donor exclusion criteria
Updates to OPTN policy language will impact four living donor exclusion criteria. These policy changes take effect July 26.
National webinar addresses proposed modifications to graft failure definition for VCA
VCA committee’s proposal open for public comment through March 23.
Improving the system together
Oscar Serrano, M.D., on reducing disparities in access to transplant
Minority Affairs Committee member Oscar Serrano, M.D., on how the needs of minority and vulnerable populations are considered and addressed in policy development.
Trailblazing physician broke barriers to become nation’s first Black female transplant surgeon
Dr. Velma Scantlebury-White, who has performed more than 2,000 transplants in her career, says there have been significant changes in terms of achieving equity access in the allocation system for minority patients, but some issues persist.
New standards ensure pediatric candidates receive the best care possible
More than 260 pediatric transplant programs meet recently updated requirements designed to meet the specific needs of children
UNet
New enhancements added to DonorNet and Waitlist resulting from NATCO collaboration
The improvements are a direct outcome of a collaborative event during NATCO’s annual conference in August 2023. At this event, transplant professionals joined UNOS’ staff to brainstorm and design enhancements for UNet, focusing on enhancing its capabilities for the community’s benefit.
Three new VCA programs replace GU program
Three new programs have replaced the Vascularized Composite Allograft (VCA) – genitourinary organ (GU) program
Three new VCA programs to replace GU program
Three new programs will replace the Vascularized Composite Allograft (VCA) – genitourinary organ (GU) program
“… policy is the living, breathing expression of group values.”
Martha Pavlakis, M.D.
Policy changes
FAQ: New multi-organ polices in effect
The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Ad-hoc Multi Organ Transplantation Committee has implemented several safety net policies to ensure patients in need of multiple organ transplants to get priority when they become medically eligible.
Implementation notice: Lung policy modification for blood type
Effective Sept. 27, 2023, the points assigned for blood type in lung allocation have been updated
Updates to medical urgency scoring of liver transplant candidates in effect
Updated criteria will better identify and prioritize urgent candidates.
Policy monitoring
One-year monitoring report available for pancreas allocation policies
Report captures first 12 months of data after implementation of 250 nautical mile circles.
Updated two-year monitoring report available for dual and en bloc kidney allocation
Report covers activity since implementation of the policies.
Updated 18-month monitoring report available for National Liver Review Board
Report covers activity since the implementation of the acuity circles liver allocation policy.
Learn: Collaborative improvement and educational resources
IN FOCUS
More than 15,000 liver transplants performed in first two years of acuity circles policy
Two-year monitoring shows many states had volume changes within 10 percent of previous policy.
Collaboration
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
Education
Animated videos describe MELD, PELD formulas
Resource especially designed to inform transplant patients and their caregivers.
UNOS researchers present studies at 2023 American Transplant Congress
Twenty-two UNOS staff members presented research from 42 studies at the 2023 American Transplant Congress, addressing topics including social determinants of health, offer-acceptance practices, and the impacts of allocation-policy changes.
Effective practices
Learn about collaborative improvement projects
Learn about issues impacting patients, donors, donor families, and the national system. Issues and advocacy
Patient safety
Monkeypox and solid organ donation
The OPTN Ad Hoc Disease Transmission Advisory Committee (DTAC) is evaluating this situation as it develops.
New exception pathway available for heart device recalls
In order to address patient safety concerns, the OPTN Executive Committee approved a modification of OPTN Policy 6.4: Adult and Pediatric Status Exceptions on July 11 that is now in effect.
Emergency action: New exception pathway for heart device recalls
This new policy will allow transplant programs to submit an exception request on behalf of adult heart transplant candidates for a Status 1, 2 or 3 exception without requiring hospitalization if the FDA has recalled their implanted mechanical circulatory support device.
Transplant hospital
Implementation notice: Lung policy modification for blood type
Effective Sept. 27, 2023, the points assigned for blood type in lung allocation have been updated
New pre-transplant performance metric now in effect, offer acceptance rate ratio
Phase 2 of new system implements to more holistically evaluate transplant program performance.
Patient Status Confirmation link available in UNet℠ beginning Oct. 2, closes Oct. 23
Transplant programs will be asked to confirm or update patient status for selected patients.
OPO
Public Comment open from July 27 through Sept. 19, 2023
The OPTN is offering 14 items for review.
An important message from the MPSC on reducing risk and ensuring patient safety
The Membership and Professional Standards Committee shares opportunities for improvement with OPTN members.
TransNet no longer supported on Android devices
Effective today, June 30, TransNetSM is no longer supported on Android devices. All TransNet users should use Apple iOS devices to package and label organs.
Histocompatibility
Waitlist enhancements and new kidney features coming
On Sept. 27, UNOS will launch the first in a series of enhancements to the visual design and workflows in Waitlist.
OPTN Board approves improvements to medical urgency scoring of liver transplant candidates
The actions will increase the equity of access to liver transplant, and were among a number of additional measures adopted by the board.
UNOS researchers present studies at 2022 American Transplant Congress
Meeting held in Boston June 4-8.