In this example, pediatric transplant candidates listed at transplant hospitals A, B or C would all be within the initial level of distribution for compatible donor offers.
More pediatric patients will receive transplants as a result of the new OPTN liver distribution policy.
For pediatric liver donors (younger than age 18), the liver distribution policy passed by the OPTN/UNOS Board of Directors in December 2018 generally increases priority for pediatric candidates before adult candidates other than Status 1A. Livers from pediatric donors will be offered initially to compatible pediatric candidates listed at any transplant hospital within a 500 nautical-mile radius of the donor hospital.
Modeling shows that under the new system:
- More children will receive a transplant
- Fewer people will die waiting
- There will be greater consistency in the geographic areas used to match liver transplant candidates with available organs
Learn how the system will prioritize all liver transplant candidates
In focus
Preserving candidate wait time during temporary inactivation due to COVID-19
Altering organ acceptance criteria protects candidates at risk of COVID-19 from losing accrued wait time.
OPO testing of deceased donors for COVID-19 ensures patient safety
Recent report shows 100 percent COVID-19 donor testing by OPOs.
Center effects greatly affect kidney access disparity
Research shows center effects are the top driver of kidney access disparities, but DSA effects still remain
Using machine learning to improve kidney allocation rates
Carlos Martinez and Andrew Placona were among more than two dozen UNOS researchers to present at the 2020 American Transplant Congress.
