in focus
OPOs and transplant hospitals collaborate to track organs in transit
New UNOS Organ Tracking Service has tracked 610 transplantable organs to 122 transplant hospitals across the nation.
In October 2020, UNOS Labs completed pilot testing devices from multiple manufacturers to perform a very unique task – tracking donor organs while in transit. During this testing phase, which involved coordinating with five OPOs and a private courier, 16 additional OPOs and transplant programs participated in focus groups to share their further perspectives on tracking solutions.
Those pilot learnings have led to an organ tracking solution involving the integration of the GEGO global tracking device with FlightAware, TransNetSM and UNetSM. UNOS Labs first beta-tested this integrated solution with 15 OPOs beginning in March 2021. After successful testing and following additional enhancements, UNOS Organ Tracking Service is now available nationally.
UNOS Organ Tracking Service has traced 610 transplantable organs to 122 transplant hospitals since the start of beta testing. The pilot was funded by Fresenius Medical Care Foundation, which focuses on raising awareness of kidney disease and transplantation as a lifesaving solution. Learn more about the other grant-funded projects the Fresenius Medical Care Foundation helped make possible.
Fresenius Medical Care Foundation is a separately operated 501(c)(3) nonprofit of Fresenius Medical Care North America
In focus
Kidney transplants increase across all populations following policy changes
New policies were predicted to increase equity through broader sharing.
Analyzing equity in access to kidney transplants in the COVID-19 era
Data show transplants for four major ethnic groups rebounded after initial decline, Hispanics had steepest decline and smallest rebound.
Analysis of allocation changes for en bloc deceased donor kidneys
Data shows that the proportion of en bloc transplants to low EPTS patients more than doubled after implementation.
Analyzing the impact of transplant policy and system modifications in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Data reveals the community’s continued commitment to provide the best care to their patients.
