U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Policy changes
Amendments to kidney and pancreas allocation policies approved by the OPTN Board of Directors in December 2019 were originally intended for implementation Dec. 15, 2020. The expected date for implementation of the policies, absent Court intervention, is March 15, 2021.
Winter 2021 Public Comment
Winter 2021 public comment is now open through Mar. 23. We encourage patients, transplant candidates and recipients, living donors, donor families and transplant professionals to provide feedback.
Winter regional meetings
All winter 2021 regional meetings will be held virtually. Attend your virtual regional meeting by registering online.
Organ donation and transplantation can save lives
Every 9 minutes, someone is added to the national transplant waiting list.
On average, 95 transplants take place each day in the U.S.
One organ donor can save eight lives. Sign up to be a donor in your state.
News
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Tuesday, March 2, 2021
COVID-19 “Amnesty” status will end for all follow-up forms due on or after April 1; Retrospective forms due July 1
Action follows Executive Committee review of transplant hospital progress. -
Monday, March 1, 2021
March 15 policy implementation: Removal of DSA from kidney and pancreas allocation
New distance-based approach includes changes to released organ allocation, medical urgency prioritization for kidney candidates and allocation of organs recovered in Alaska. -
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Summary of evidence report details experience with COVID-19
The latest information known for minimizing the risk of donor-derived COVID-19 transmission while maximizing donor utilization. -
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
February 24 webinar addresses new policies aligning with PHS guideline
Program will address member questions relating to the policies. -
Friday, February 12, 2021
Implementation of kidney and pancreas policies
Expected date of implementation.
Resources for professionals
Kidney allocation system materials
Access educational materials, calculators and more.
The OPTN Evaluation Plan is a compliance guide for member hospitals, OPOs and labs.
Patients are the focus of all the OPTN's collective efforts.
Resources for patients
Here's a brief look at how an idea transforms from proposal to transplant policy.
The donation process begins with a decision.
We must allocate each precious organ in the most equitable manner possible.