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 increases priority for pediatric candidates before any 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
Lung and liver perfusion on the rise
Lung perfusion has more than tripled since 2015, growing from 1.7 percent to 6.3 percent and potentially expanding the pool of organs available for transplant.
Multi-organ transplant (MOT) nearly doubles in six years: What are the ethical implications?
The increase in multi-organ transplant (MOT) raises ethical questions that call for greater consistency in allocation strategy
Unexpected HCV donor-derived transmissions on the rise
Unexpected HCV donor-derived transmissions on the rise according to the OPTN Ad Hoc Disease Transmission Advisory Committee
Getting patients ready for transplant sooner
How Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia reduced its inactive kidney waitlist by 17 percent