COVID-19 Weekly RUM Report now available in the Data Portal
In response to the COVID pandemic, a temporary version of the Recovery and Usage Maps tool, or RUM, has been developed. Accessible in the Visual Analytics section of the Data Portal, the COVID-19 Weekly RUM Report provides OPOs and transplant programs the most current data available regarding organ recovery and transplant activity at OPOs and programs across the country for organs with specific characteristics. The UNOS Business Intelligence team developed this tool with input from members in a desire to support the donation and transplantation community during the COVID crisis.
Upcoming system modification to WaitlistSM to allow hospitals to reactivate liver candidates without having to update labs
Effective May 6, a transplant program reactivating a liver transplant candidate to a MELD or PELD status in Waitlist will no longer be required to input updated lab values to support the listing. The system currently asks the program to supply all new lab values even if the candidate’s previous values had not yet expired.
This action is independent of any COVID-19-related changes. It may, however, be helpful to liver transplant programs who have recently inactivated candidates because of COVID-19 and are now reactivating them.
Any change from an inactive liver candidate to a Status 1A or 1B will require the appropriate justification form with lab values no less recent than the past two days, per the schedule in OPTN Policy 9.2.
Reminders
Register for the OPTN COVID Collaborative*
[Effective July 10, 2020, the OPTN COVID Collaborative inactivated. Read the details.]
The OPTN launched an interactive forum on April 22 so that members may engage on topics specific to donation and transplant during COVID-19. The OPTN COVID Collaborative operates on a secure online communication platform and allows donation and transplant professionals to collaboratively discuss, organize, catalog and archive the learnings and insights developed during the 2020 pandemic.
Participation in the COVID Collaborative is limited to individuals from OPTN member organizations. Registration is required. The scope of discussions will include OPTN member business and administrative processes related to the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, and discussions will be moderated.
For more information about the OPTN COVID Collaborative, email [email protected].
Patient Q&A with UNOS Chief Medical Officer David Klassen
Navigating the coronavirus pandemic is difficult for everyone, but brings special challenges for transplant patients. In a new video series on TransplantLiving.org, UNOS Chief Medical Officer David Klassen, M.D., answers questions for patients about COVID-19 and the waiting list, temporary inactivation, donor testing, living donation and other important topics.
ISHLT presents new webinar: COVID-19 and challenges in advanced heart and lung disease and cardiothoracic transplantation
The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation is holding a free, live webinar for the cardiothoracic transplant community on April 29 at 4 p.m. EDT. A recording will be posted for later viewing. Membership is not required and CE credit is available.
Resources
- Challenges in Heart Transplantation in the Era of COVID-19: Journal of the American Heart Association
- Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR): COVID-19: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Transplant patient webinars and FAQs: COVID-19 news and resources for patients now available at TransplantLiving.org.
- Summary of COVID-19 policy actions: The OPTN Executive Committee has approved several actions relating to OPTN policies and bylaws to help members focus needed resources in the short term on essential clinical services.
Stay current
We will continue to update the UNOS COVID-19 resources page as guidance is developed and enhanced.
