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UNOS embraces reform of the U.S. donation and transplant system
Ahead of today’s U.S. Senate Committee on Finance hearing on the nation’s organ donation and transplant system, United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) reiterates its commitment to modernizing and reforming the nation’s organ donation and transplant system and working with Congress to achieve measurable results for patients.
New policy aims to speed kidney acceptance rates, increase transplants
The OPTN Board of Directors unanimously approved a new policy that will help more patients receive a lifesaving kidney transplant by getting the right organ to the right patient faster.
New UNOS board officers begin service July 1
UNOS welcomes 19 new members to its 42-member Board of Directors, who will begin their term on July 1, 2023.
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Kidney – Pancreas
Simulated modeling results now available for continuous distribution of kidney and pancreas
Report evaluates and compares several potential scenarios, will inform committees in their work.
New Medicare benefit available for kidney recipients
Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, this new benefit helps cover the costs for immunosuppressive drugs beyond 36 months after transplant for patients with ESRD.
FAQ for patients: CPRA calculation change
We’ve put together some frequently asked questions to help patients wondering about the upcoming change.
Liver – Intestine
Median MELD at Transplant scores updated effective March 30
Scores published for each liver program; updated twice yearly.
Updated 18-month monitoring report available for National Liver Review Board
Report covers activity since the implementation of the acuity circles liver allocation policy.
9th year of record-setting liver transplants
45 organ procurement organizations set all-time transplant records.
Heart – Lung
New animation for patients explains the lung Composite Allocation Score (CAS)
New patient-friendly video explains the factors that will determine lung allocation in the continuous distribution framework.
One-year monitoring report for the Pediatric National Heart Review Board now available
Report contains summary level information on the exception request decisions made by the Pediatric National Heart Review Board.
Another record year for heart transplants: Steep increases seen in DCD transplants in 2022
February is American Heart Month
VCA
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Improving the system together
Inside the Organ Center
They work with OPOs and transplant hospitals around the clock to match organs and save lives across the country, 365 days a year. Meet the team members at the “heart” of UNOS.
Educating the next generation: kidney transplant surgeon Stuart Geffner, M.D.
Stuart Geffner, M.D., of Saint Barnabas Medical Center shows teens the importance of organ donation and transplantation.
Living donation: One person can make a big difference
Living donor Susan Dubuque discusses her decision to become an altruistic organ donor. Read her motivational story today!
UNet
New kidney biopsy fields coming to DonorNet and TIEDI
These new fields aim to reduce inconsistencies in both the reporting of kidney biopsy results as well as the specific biopsy parameters reported.
Match result data archiving now in effect
If you navigate to an archived match result, a message will display explaining the match has been archived, along with instructions on how to obtain the results if needed.
New candidate inactivation code available for multi-organ transplant candidates
The new code (“Candidate requires multi-organ TX only, isolated offers not accepted”) will exclude the candidate from receiving offers of the specified individual organ type(s).
“… policy is the living, breathing expression of group values.”
Martha Pavlakis, M.D. on new policies that put patients first
Policy changes
Implementation notice: KPD policy updates
The changes impact all KPD programs, including the OPTN Kidney Paired Donation Pilot Program (KPDPP).
Submit exception requests for the lung CAS transition starting Feb. 9
Transplant programs are encouraged to submit forms by Feb. 23, 2023 to ensure the Lung Review Board has sufficient time to adjudicate cases prior to implementation of lung continuous distribution.
Public comment now open through March 15
The winter 2023 public comment cycle opened Jan. 19 and closes March 15.
Policy monitoring
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Learn: Collaborative improvement and educational resources
IN FOCUS
OUT tool now allows OPOs to see movement of organs across the country
Enhancements to OUT (Organ Utilization Tool) give insight into organ movement, timing of responses and use of provisional yes at each program.
Collaboration
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Education
What is LAS? A new animation for patients explains the lung allocation score
New animated video for patients and their caregivers explains the lung allocation score used in transplant.
What is KDPI? A new animation for patients explains the kidney donor profile index
New animated video for patients and their caregivers explains the kidney donor profile index.
Effective practices
Learn about collaborative improvement projects
Learn about issues impacting patients, donors, donor families, and the national system. Issues and advocacy
Perspectives
Achieving racial equity in transplantation
OPTN Minority Affairs Committee leaders Irene Kim, M.D. and Paulo Martins, M.D., Ph.D., offer insight into how the donation and transplant community collaborates.
Collaboration in the transplant community during the COVID-19 pandemic
“This sense of the need to educate our communities—both individually and potentially as a group—came up, and we started sending around emails amongst ourselves,” said transplant infectious disease specialist Emily Blumberg, M.D.
Why I volunteer: Amber Eck, UNOS ambassador
Community members unite and strengthen the donation and transplantation community to help get the right organs to the right patients at the right time.
Leadership news
In Memoriam: Debi Surlas
UNOS was saddened to learn of the death of kidney–pancreas recipient and former OPTN/UNOS board member Debi Surlas, who died February 5 after a valiant struggle with breast cancer.
In Memoriam: Kathe LeBeau and Nefeterius McPherson
UNOS is saddened by the sudden passing this week of Katherine “Kathe” LeBeau and Nefeterius McPherson. Both were staunch and tireless advocates for donation and transplantation.
In Memoriam: William Pfaff, M.D.
Dr. Pfaff was a true transplant pioneer and a creative force in many aspects of transplantation and organ donation.
“The dozens of topics presented at TMF shared one thing—our community’s dedication to doing everything we can to constantly improve the system and better serve the patients who rely on us.”
Patient safety
Guidance regarding donor Toxoplasma screening and organ acceptance
Some additional information to help you decide whether to accept organ offers from donors with a positive or pending Toxo screening result. Also information on how best to treat Toxo-negative recipients of organs from Toxo-positive donors.
Special public comment period begins March 27 for guidance document
Document addresses communication with patients regarding increased risk donors; recording of an April 4 webinar is now available.
FDA Alert Addresses Potentially Contaminated SPS-1 Static Preservation Solution
Review the FDA’s most recent update published on March 9, 2017.
Transplant hospital
Patient Status Confirmation link available in UNet℠ beginning April 3, closes April 24
Transplant programs are asked to confirm or update patient status for selected patients.
New lung allocation policy in effect
First organ type to use continuous distribution framework.
White paper addresses ethical issues in information to support transplant program selection
Paper addresses likely patient questions and approaches for plain language communication.
OPO
MFA coming for TransNet mobile for Android
MFA coming for TransNet mobile for Android on Oct. 12.
Two new enhancements coming to DonorNet
Two new enhancements are coming to DonorNet on Sept. 21. These enhancements will display as tooltips, visible when the user hovers over a button or question mark icon.
Implementation notice: Minimum kidney donor criteria established for biopsies
OPOs are now required to make a reasonable effort to perform renal procurement biopsies for deceased kidney donors meeting certain criteria.
Histocompatibility
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Stories and tributes
Each person touched by organ donation transplant has a unique story. Threads of hope connect them. Find videos, stories and tributes