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UNOS launches first national liver paired donation pilot program
The UNOS LPD pilot program aims to increase the number of living liver donations.
2022 organ transplants again set annual records
Total kidney transplants exceeded 25,000 for the first year ever; annual records also set for liver, heart and lung transplants.
Pre-implementation notice: KPD policy updates
The changes are intended to improve the efficiency of the OPTN Kidney Paired Donation Pilot Program (KPDPP), improve clarity around the living donation process and update informed consent for participants in all KPD programs.
UNOS launches first national liver paired donation pilot program
The UNOS LPD pilot program aims to increase the number of living liver donations.
2022 organ transplants again set annual records
Total kidney transplants exceeded 25,000 for the first year ever; annual records also set for liver, heart and lung transplants.
Pre-implementation notice: KPD policy updates
The changes are intended to improve the efficiency of the OPTN Kidney Paired Donation Pilot Program (KPDPP), improve clarity around the living donation process and update informed consent for participants in all KPD programs.
Waiting time adjustment approved for kidney transplant candidates affected by race-based calculation
Previous use of race-based calculations disadvantaged some Black patients by overestimating their kidney function.
Update: CPRA calculation
The new formula for Calculated Panel Reactive Antibody (CPRA) will now go into effect on Jan. 26, 2023.
Nominees chosen for 2023 Board of Directors election
Voting members will receive election materials in January 2023.
7,000 organs tracked with UNOS Organ Tracking Service
30% of all OPOs use the UNOS Organ Tracking Service to monitor organs in transit.
A pivotal moment for the organ donation and transplant community
McBride addresses public concerns, calls for collaboration and shares vision for the future.
7 years of HOPE
Implemented in 2015 , the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act has given more than 350 living with HIV an opportunity to receive a lifesaving transplant from an HIV-positive donor.
UNOS seeks new CEO to be voice for diverse needs of organ donation and transplant community
UNOS looks forward to completing the process and announcing the new CEO in the spring of 2023.
U.S. reaches historic milestone of 1 million transplants
Living It Forward initiative honors donors and recipients, looks toward the next million lifesaving transplants.
Over 5,000 organs tracked with UNOS Organ Tracking Service
26% of all OPOs are now utilizing the UNOS Organ Tracking Service to monitor organs in transit.
Two-year monitoring report for liver, intestine policy shows success in key aspects
Report details outcomes since policy implementation in February 2020.
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.
Collaborative improvement project helped OPOs increase DCD transplant in 2021
Project participants experienced more DCD recoveries and transplants than the rest of the nation.
Kidney – Pancreas
Implementation notice: CPRA calculation change
CPRA >98% signatures must be entered in Waitlist for the candidate to receive additional allocation priority.
Predictive analytics tool now available to all kidney programs
Innovative new technology helps transplant hospitals make the right match for their patients
Available now: Predictive analytics for adult kidney offers
The predictive analytics tool seeks to show the likely impacts for a candidate if their current offer is refused, based on relevant historical data for similar candidates.
Liver – Intestine
National collaborative focusing on organ offer acceptance to launch at the end of January 2023
More than 80 transplant programs are participating in the project; a virtual option for the in-person kickoff event is available to the entire community.
UNOS launches first national liver paired donation pilot program
The UNOS LPD pilot program aims to increase the number of living liver donations.
Updated National Liver Review Board guidance in effect Jan. 5, 2023
New pathway set for pediatric candidates with cystic fibrosis; guidance amended for candidates with hepatic adenoma and Budd-Chiari syndrome.
Heart – Lung
Lung CAS summary data updated
Beginning Wednesday, September 28, 2022, lung transplant programs will be able to access a program-specific resource report in the Data Services Portal.
Submitting LAS exception requests for candidates diagnosed with PH
View candidates’ LAS data as of Jan. 20, 2023.
National collaborative focusing on organ offer acceptance to launch at the end of January 2023
More than 80 transplant programs are participating in the project; a virtual option for the in-person kickoff event is available to the entire community.
VCA
VCA coming to UNet Spring 2023
Audience VCA programs All UNetSM users (for awareness) Implementation date Spring 2023 At-a-glance Allocation of all Vascularized Composite Allograft (VCA) organs will be moving into UNet starting in the Spring of 2023. Additional details There is no action needed...
Public comment open from Aug. 3 through Sept. 28, 2022
The OPTN is offering 15 items for review, including one white paper, one committee update, three concept papers, and 10 policy proposals.
Improving the system together
Nashville’s Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West’s focus on quality improvement
Heather Marshall of Ascension Saint Thomas West Hospital on the education and peer support initiative her program helped pilot.
Overcoming the financial obstacles to living donation
The National Living Donor Assistance Center is available to help living donors cover travel expenses, lost wages and other costs.
Capital Pride: WRTC on being meaningful community advocates all year round
D.C. OPO’s LGBTQIA+ advocacy work increases organ donation.
UNet
Implementation notice: CPRA calculation change
CPRA >98% signatures must be entered in Waitlist for the candidate to receive additional allocation priority.
Match Summary view now available in DonorNet desktop
UNOS IT staff and the work group at the 2022 TMF Collaboration Event made this effort possible.
UNet user audit begins January 31st
Starting Jan. 31, site security administrators will have four weeks to conduct a required audit of their UNet users. It must be completed by Feb. 28.
“… policy is the living, breathing expression of group values.”
Martha Pavlakis, M.D. on new policies that put patients first
Policy changes
Public comment now open through March 15
The winter 2023 public comment cycle opened Jan. 19 and closes March 15.
Pre-implementation notice: KPD policy updates
The changes are intended to improve the efficiency of the OPTN Kidney Paired Donation Pilot Program (KPDPP), improve clarity around the living donation process and update informed consent for participants in all KPD programs.
Implementation notice: Waiting time modifications for candidates affected by race-inclusive eGFR calculations
Programs must complete the process and provide the necessary documentation to the OPTN by Jan. 3, 2024.
Policy monitoring
Three-month monitoring report for heart policy following a device recall now available
Report shows key measures of adult heart allocation based on policy changes implemented in July 2022.
Two-year monitoring report available for the elimination of the use of DSAs in heart allocation
A new data report contains key measures of adult heart allocation based on policy changes implemented in January 2020.
Three-year monitoring report available for changes to adult heart allocation
A new data report contains key measures of adult heart allocation based on policy changes implemented in October 2018.
Learn: Collaborative improvement and educational resources
IN FOCUS
7,000 organs tracked with UNOS Organ Tracking Service
30% of all OPOs use the UNOS Organ Tracking Service to monitor organs in transit.
Collaboration
Public comment now open through March 15
The winter 2023 public comment cycle opened Jan. 19 and closes March 15.
National collaborative focusing on organ offer acceptance to launch at the end of January 2023
More than 80 transplant programs are participating in the project; a virtual option for the in-person kickoff event is available to the entire community.
UNOS using a collaborative improvement model to increase DCD lung transplantation
29 lung transplant programs are participating in the project.
Collaborative improvement project helped OPOs increase DCD transplant in 2021
Project participants experienced more DCD recoveries and transplants than the rest of the nation.
Education
Lung Composite Allocation Score (CAS) calculator coming February 2023
The lung Composite Allocation Score (CAS) calculator will be available on the OPTN website beginning Feb. 2, 2023.
FAQ for patients: CPRA calculation change
We’ve put together some frequently asked questions to help patients wondering about the upcoming change.
Predictive analytics project to launch education in December 2022, is intended to increase organ utilization
All adult kidney programs will be able to evaluate organ offers using predictive data.
Oct. 13 webinar to address lung continuous distribution policy implementation
The webinar will be recorded for future access.
Learn about issues impacting patients, donors, donor families, and the national system. Issues and advocacy
Perspectives
From UNOS leaders
Transportation, transparency and other critical issues
UNOS Interim CEO Maureen McBride recounts actions taken during her first 100 days to tackle some of transplant’s biggest challenges.
A pivotal moment for the organ donation and transplant community
McBride addresses public concerns, calls for collaboration and shares vision for the future.
A community message from the OPTN Board of Directors
The OPTN Board of Directors met recently to consider concerns raised by certain members of the transplant community.
From the community
Giving and the Gift of Life: Lindsey C. Jennings, Manager, Philanthropy
There is no greater expression of one’s love for humanity than choosing to become an organ donor.
The liver allocation policy is a success we need to share: Terry Box, M.D., liver recipient
Box’s op-ed highlights how effective policy development is resulting in sicker patients getting liver transplants faster.
Driving toward optimal equity: Vincent Casingal, M.D.
Transplant surgeon on the success of the new kidney allocation policy.
“For us and everyone else in the transplant community, the ultimate form of equity means providing a transplant for every single patient that needs one.”
Patient safety
Three-month monitoring report for heart policy following a device recall now available
Report shows key measures of adult heart allocation based on policy changes implemented in July 2022.
Monkeypox educational document available for transplant candidates
Resource addresses risks, treatment and prevention.
Monkeypox summary of evidence report available
The document addresses potential risks and strategies to prevent donor-derived transmission.
Transplant hospital
An important message from the MPSC on donation after circulatory death (DCD) protocols and managing multiple organs
The Membership and Professional Standards Committee shares opportunities for improvement with the donation and transplant community.
Available now: Predictive analytics for adult kidney offers
The predictive analytics tool seeks to show the likely impacts for a candidate if their current offer is refused, based on relevant historical data for similar candidates.
Lung Composite Allocation Score (CAS) calculator coming February 2023
The lung Composite Allocation Score (CAS) calculator will be available on the OPTN website beginning Feb. 2, 2023.
OPO
An important message from the MPSC on donation after circulatory death (DCD) protocols and managing multiple organs
The Membership and Professional Standards Committee shares opportunities for improvement with the donation and transplant community.
Infinite Legacy established after OPO merger
The merger brings a combined 79 years of institutional experience together as one organization, serving almost 10 million people across northern Virginia, Washington, D.C. and all of Maryland.
Lung Composite Allocation Score (CAS) calculator coming February 2023
The lung Composite Allocation Score (CAS) calculator will be available on the OPTN website beginning Feb. 2, 2023.
Histocompatibility
Implementation notice: CPRA calculation change
CPRA >98% signatures must be entered in Waitlist for the candidate to receive additional allocation priority.
Update: CPRA calculation
The new formula for Calculated Panel Reactive Antibody (CPRA) will now go into effect on Jan. 26, 2023.
FAQ for patients: CPRA calculation change
We’ve put together some frequently asked questions to help patients wondering about the upcoming change.
Winter 2023 public comment is open Jan. 19 - March 15. Watch videos and Add your voice
The U.S. surpassed 1 million transplants in 2022
The gifts of generous donors and their courageous families made several lifesaving transplant records possible.
Stories and tributes
Each person touched by organ donation transplant has a unique story. Threads of hope connect them. Find videos, stories and tributes