Data submission requirements update
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, as of Oct. 1, more than 70 percent of the follow-up forms listed below have been voluntarily completed during the period in which the data submission relaxation has been in place in response to COVID-19:
- Living donor follow-up form (LDF)
- Organ-specific transplant recipient follow-up form (TRF)
- Recipient malignancy form (PTM)
This data is critical to understanding transplant outcomes and to determining any needed additions and/or revisions to data collection for potential donors and recipients with a history of COVID-19. We encourage members to enter their data and provide as complete a report as circumstances allow to help us continue to address the data needs of the OPTN as the pandemic evolves.
Read more about the COVID-19 emergency policy package and the actions the OPTN has taken to help members protect patient safety and access to transplant during COVID-19.
COVID-19 organ failure in thoracic candidate listings coming Oct. 28
On Oct. 28, two new diagnosis codes for lung candidates and two new diagnosis codes for heart candidates will be added to UNetSM. Additionally, there will be an update to an existing code available for heart candidates. The purpose of adding these options is to specify when COVID-19 related organ failure is the cause for lung and heart candidate listings.
The initial proposed action, addressing lung candidate diagnoses, was published for special public comment from Aug. 31 through Oct 1. During public comment, the OPTN Heart Transplantation Committee recommended that heart candidate diagnoses be added to those originally proposed for lung candidates. The OPTN Board of Directors approved the proposal during an Oct. 8 conference call.
On Oct. 28, a separate notice will be posted with additional information about the changes.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
OPTN committee meetings to be held virtually through 2020
OPTN committee meetings will now be held virtually through Dec. 31. A list of all scheduled meetings will be updated on the OPTN calendar of events webpage to reflect this change. For questions and requests, please email [email protected].
Resources
Patient information
Navigating the coronavirus pandemic is difficult for everyone, but brings special challenges for transplant patients. Our COVID-19 Transplant Living page has a variety of comprehensive resources for patients, including:
- FAQs about important patient topics like lab tests and organ donor testing
- Top OPTN patient services hotline questions
- Recorded webinars for kidney patients and a Q&A for pediatric patients
The latest data: Current state of organ donation and transplantation
The waitlist snapshot is updated on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Transplants by week and deceased donors recovered by week are updated every Monday. Check the data visualization tool on the UNOS COVID-19 resources page for more information.
Reminders
For COVID-19 related policy and operational questions, email [email protected].
Stay current
We will continue to update the UNOS COVID-19 resources page as guidance is developed and enhanced.
