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Black kidney candidates are receiving waiting time modifications, helping them get the organs they need
Latest kidney monitoring report shows two new kidney polices are working as intended
Honoring the gift of life: Ceremony marks the National Donor Memorial 20th anniversary
The National Donor Memorial inspires us “to reflect on what it means to be an organ, eye or tissue donor.”
UNOS Travel App wins RVA Tech Award for Innovation
Award recognizes projects that “have a long-term impact,” will serve as “an inspiration for future innovation”
Black kidney candidates are receiving waiting time modifications, helping them get the organs they need
Latest kidney monitoring report shows two new kidney polices are working as intended
Honoring the gift of life: Ceremony marks the National Donor Memorial 20th anniversary
The National Donor Memorial inspires us “to reflect on what it means to be an organ, eye or tissue donor.”
UNOS Travel App wins RVA Tech Award for Innovation
Award recognizes projects that “have a long-term impact,” will serve as “an inspiration for future innovation”
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.
President signs new law increasing competition for OPTN contract
We are committed to working with HRSA, Congress, the wider donation and transplantation community and other stakeholders to ensure the best possible system for patients, donors and their families.
UNOS plan reimagines governance of U.S. transplant system to best serve patients
Roadmap outlines how to create an independent OPTN Board in a move endorsed by Congress
U.S. House of Representatives calls on FAA to improve air transport of donor organs
Vote calls for a work group to consider whether organs transported via commercial flight could once again travel safely in a plane’s cabin
OPTN Board approves measures to improve kidney offer acceptance process
Greater use of Offer Filters expected to increase efficiency of organ matches.
UNOS statement on the 2023 OPO Public Performance Report by CMS
UNOS supports working with CMS to increase accountability and improve the performance of our nation’s 56 OPOs.
Kidney – Pancreas
Black kidney candidates are receiving waiting time modifications, helping them get the organs they need
Latest kidney monitoring report shows two new kidney polices are working as intended
Second round of simulated modeling results for continuous distribution of kidney and pancreas now available
Modeling results estimate the benefit of new proposals and inform committees of any needed improvements.
Two-year monitoring report available for pancreas allocation policies
Report captures two-year data post implementation of 250 nautical mile circles.
Liver – Intestine
Animated videos describe MELD, PELD formulas
Resource especially designed to inform transplant patients and their caregivers.
Now in effect: Changes to liver-kidney nautical mile threshold
The required share threshold for simultaneous liver-kidney (SLK) allocation has expanded from 250 nautical miles to 500 nautical miles for eligible adult candidates (e.g., Status 1A or MELD of 29 or greater).
Updated median MELD at transplant scores in effect Sept. 27
MMaT values are updated twice each year.
Heart – Lung
Lung transplant rates continue to increase six months post implementation of new lung policy
Lung-alone transplants have increased by 11.2 percent.
Lung CAS summary data updated
Information for lung transplant programs on the distribution of scores for all active registrations waiting for lung transplants in the U.S.
Pre-implementation notice: Data collection changes for lung and heart-lung candidates coming
Several data collection changes for lung and heart-lung candidates will be implemented Dec. 13, 2023.
VCA
Three new VCA programs to replace GU program
Three new programs will replace the Vascularized Composite Allograft (VCA) – genitourinary organ (GU) program
UNet is online: VCA and data collection projects released
Allocation of 10 Vascularized Composite Allograft (VCA) organs has been added to UNet, along with extensive changes to existing data collection forms across organs.
VCA allocation is now in UNet
Allocation of all Vascularized Composite Allograft (VCA) organs has been moved to UNetSM. Any patients on the “VCA Candidate List” have been added to WaitlistSM by UNOS staff.
Improving the system together
Embracing new ideas to increase DCD donation
One year later, three participants share their perspectives on the benefits of the collaborative learning experience.
UNOS research: Insights from the American Transplant Congress
“There is so much intellectual capital assembled at UNOS to study and evaluate the transplant system and find ways to improve through research and analytics.”
Predicting the future to help patients today
New tool offers never-before-seen insights on the impact that accepting or declining an organ offer could have on a patient.
UNet
Three new VCA programs to replace GU program
Three new programs will replace the Vascularized Composite Allograft (VCA) – genitourinary organ (GU) program
UNOS Travel App wins RVA Tech Award for Innovation
Award recognizes projects that “have a long-term impact,” will serve as “an inspiration for future innovation”
Now in effect: Simultaneous heart-kidney and lung-kidney allocation changes
New policies require candidates to meet medical eligibility criteria to be eligible for a required kidney share on the heart or lung match.
“… policy is the living, breathing expression of group values.”
Martha Pavlakis, M.D. on new policies that put patients first
Policy changes
Pre-implementation notice: Data collection changes for lung and heart-lung candidates coming
Several data collection changes for lung and heart-lung candidates will be implemented Dec. 13, 2023.
Three new VCA programs to replace GU program
Three new programs will replace the Vascularized Composite Allograft (VCA) – genitourinary organ (GU) program
National webinar on Nov.15 for lung transplant professionals on upcoming data collection changes and other insights in lung allocation
A recording will be made available afterward.
Policy monitoring
Lung transplant rates continue to increase six months post implementation of new lung policy
Lung-alone transplants have increased by 11.2 percent.
Early lung monitoring report shows increase in transplants following implementation of lung continuous distribution
Report captures three-months of data post implementation of lung continuous distribution.
Two-year monitoring report available for pancreas allocation policies
Report captures two-year data post implementation of 250 nautical mile circles.
Learn: Collaborative improvement and educational resources
IN FOCUS
Black kidney candidates are receiving waiting time modifications, helping them get the organs they need
Latest kidney monitoring report shows two new kidney polices are working as intended
Collaboration
Embracing new ideas to increase DCD donation
One year later, three participants share their perspectives on the benefits of the collaborative learning experience.
Learning Congress planned for OPTN DCD Lung Transplant Collaborative
The Sept. Learning Congress, open to all adult lung programs, will mark the conclusion of eight-month collaborative focused on increasing DCD lung transplantation.
Public Comment open from July 27 through Sept. 19, 2023
The OPTN is offering 14 items for review.
Education
National webinar on Nov.15 for lung transplant professionals on upcoming data collection changes and other insights in lung allocation
A recording will be made available afterward.
Animated videos describe MELD, PELD formulas
Resource especially designed to inform transplant patients and their caregivers.
Effective practices
Learn about collaborative improvement projects
Learn about issues impacting patients, donors, donor families, and the national system. Issues and advocacy
Perspectives
How you can help shape the future of organ donation and transplant
Your voice matters. I urge you to take advantage of this opportunity to help make the system work better for people like you.
Why I volunteer: Valinda Jones, M.S.N., RN, kidney recipient
Board member describes the vital role of volunteers with personal experience in donation and transplantation.
Updates from TMF, HRSA’s Modernization Initiative and government outreach
Being at TMF reminded me that there could not be a better time to be the CEO of UNOS. I am so pleased to be leading our community into the future as we continue to save lives, even during these times of immense change.
Leadership news
President signs new law increasing competition for OPTN contract
We are committed to working with HRSA, Congress, the wider donation and transplantation community and other stakeholders to ensure the best possible system for patients, donors and their families.
UNOS plan reimagines governance of U.S. transplant system to best serve patients
Roadmap outlines how to create an independent OPTN Board in a move endorsed by Congress
In Memoriam – Isabel Stenzel Byrnes
UNOS celebrates the life of Isabel Stenzel Byrnes, a lung recipient who, with her twin sister Anabel, became a voice for patients and a passionate advocate for donation and transplant. Isabel and Anabel were both born with cystic fibrosis in 1972. Not expected to live...
“The dozens of topics presented at TMF shared one thing—our community’s dedication to doing everything we can to constantly improve the system and better serve the patients who rely on us.”
Patient safety
Public Comment open from July 27 through Sept. 19, 2023
The OPTN is offering 14 items for review.
Four-year monitoring report for adult heart allocation now available
Latest report shows key measures of adult heart allocation following policy changes implemented in October 2018.
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.
Transplant hospital
Pre-implementation notice: Data collection changes for lung and heart-lung candidates coming
Several data collection changes for lung and heart-lung candidates will be implemented Dec. 13, 2023.
Patient information letter updated, now available in additional languages
Updated patient information letter now available in multiple languages.
Now in effect: Simultaneous heart-kidney and lung-kidney allocation changes
New policies require candidates to meet medical eligibility criteria to be eligible for a required kidney share on the heart or lung match.
OPO
Embracing new ideas to increase DCD donation
One year later, three participants share their perspectives on the benefits of the collaborative learning experience.
Now in effect: Simultaneous heart-kidney and lung-kidney allocation changes
New policies require candidates to meet medical eligibility criteria to be eligible for a required kidney share on the heart or lung match.
Now in effect: Changes to liver-kidney nautical mile threshold
The required share threshold for simultaneous liver-kidney (SLK) allocation has expanded from 250 nautical miles to 500 nautical miles for eligible adult candidates (e.g., Status 1A or MELD of 29 or greater).
Histocompatibility
Member actions required: data collection and VCA implementation
Patient care will not be impacted during this time.
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.
Now in effect: Changes to security personnel requirements and reporting
These changes were approved by the OPTN Board of Directors at their June 26, 2023 meeting.
National Donor Memorial: Celebrating 20 years Read about the ceremony
Stories and tributes
Each person touched by organ donation transplant has a unique story. Threads of hope connect them. Find videos, stories and tributes