Patient information on disaster relief and assistance
Published on: Sunday, August 29, 2021
The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) is dedicated to providing assistance to member institutions, transplant candidates and potential living donors in the event of a natural disaster affecting long-term services of transplant centers.
The OPTN is in contact with all member transplant facilities nationwide. In case of significant and potential long-term disruption of service at one or more centers, we will provide any needed updates through this website. The Organ Center can assist transplant hospitals and organ procurement organizations as needed with organ placement or management of key donor or candidate data, in order to provide continuity of essential services.
Transplant institutions should maintain disaster recovery plans that address their individual facility's needs and circumstances. This includes mechanisms for communicating with transplant candidates and potential living donors.
As UNOS monitors the impact, we are diligently working with transplant hospitals to stay up-to-date on the evolving situation and its effect on patients.
For transplant candidates experiencing a disruption, your transplant hospital is the best contact regarding interim care, your status, appointment schedules, and availability of critical services.
For help in contacting your transplant hospital, you may call our toll-free Patient Services line at (888) 894-6361. Patient Services is staffed from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
Text updated Wednesday, September 1, 2021