Transplant candidate waiting list data reporting policy reinstated due to COVID-19 impact
Effective immediately, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Executive Committee has reinstated OPTN Policy 1.4.F, which authorizes transplant programs, as needed, to “carry forward” the most recent clinical data available when obtaining updated data is not feasible due to effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Details of the policy are contained in the policy notice on the OPTN website.
This is the same policy earlier in effect from March 17, 2020 to July 27, 2021.
Several transplant hospitals requested reinstatement of the policy due to resource challenges posed by the current surge in COVID-19 cases. The OPTN Executive Committee approved this action on Jan. 11, 2022, as an emergency policy per the OPTN bylaws. The policy will expire in 90 days unless the Executive Committee deems it necessary to continue in light of the current COVID-19 situation.
This policy does not reinstate all previous emergency policies that address broader data collection requirements.
Additional information, including an illustrated example, is available here on the UNOS website.
Reminders
Site surveys to remain virtual in January 2022
While Member Quality hopes to conduct all routine reviews for all member organizations onsite beginning in 2022, all January 2022 site surveys will be conducted virtually in order to ensure the health and well-being of members and their patients as well as our site survey staff. We will continue to monitor the pandemic conditions and keep you informed of any changes. Member Quality is working to develop a hybrid model that will let the highest-impact work be conducted at the member facility.
Please email [email protected] with any questions about site surveys.
Winter 2022 regional meetings to be virtual
In order to protect the safety of our community and their patients during the wave of Omicron infections occurring right now, the OPTN has changed all regional meetings to virtual meetings. Please visit your region’s page for more information about your specific meeting.
Registration and additional meeting details are also available on your region’s webpage. Learn more about regional meetings.
Committee meetings
The health and safety of OPTN members is a priority for UNOS. The list of all scheduled meetings will be updated on the calendar of events to reflect updates related to in-person vs. virtual meetings.
Report operational issues related to the COVID-19 outbreak
The OPTN is collecting information about challenges and issues created by the outbreak in order to evaluate further improvements or assistance that HHS, the OPTN and UNOS can provide. Please use this survey tool to report interruptions or issues.
Resources
The latest data on organ donation and transplant in the U.S.
High-level data on transplants, deceased donors recovered, patients added to the waitlist and patients temporarily moved to inactive waitlist status.
Questions
For COVID-19 related policy and operational questions, email [email protected].
