Transportation: Reduce risk of delay, damage or loss in organ transport

Addressing concerns about organ tracking and transportation requires a system‐wide, multi‐pronged approach. UNOS has taken action as a private entity in developing and launching its own organ tracking solution, currently in use by 16 OPOs.¹ However, both the federal government and the OPTN must require, develop and enact a solution for national, system‐wide tracking and efficient air transit.

UNOS Action

Due to federal protocol changes following the September 11 attacks, unaccompanied organs were relegated to cargo and are still transported that way today. Cargo procedures are time-insensitive and can cause logistical problems, such as delays, when transporting time-sensitive organs intended for transplant.

UNOS applauds the final FAA reauthorization legislation which includes a provision to improve the safety and efficiency of the transportation of donor organs through the nation’s commercial aviation system.

The Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act requires the Department of Transportation (DOT), in consultation with the FAA, to convene a working group to develop best practices for transporting organs in the cabin of a commercial aircraft once again. The FAA held the first working group meeting in August 2024. Their work is expected to inform policy improvements that would not require going through the federal rulemaking process.

Since 2022, UNOS has engaged with FAA leadership, the Transportation Security Administration, and the House and Senate to pursue this reform. Actions to move organs back to the airplane cabin and out of cargo are widely endorsed by the donation and transplant community.

Additionally, UNOS is advocating for HRSA to include the following in the next OPTN contract:

• Mandate physical trackers for unaccompanied deceased donor organs.
• Develop a centralized organ tracking system.
• Publicly report on data related to tracking.
• Review all cases of a lost organ.