OPTN whistleblower protections & reporting

Whistleblower protections

Directors, Committee members, and OPTN volunteers must observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their OPTN duties and responsibilities. Directors, Committee members, OPTN volunteers, and others are encouraged and enabled to raise concerns within the OPTN before seeking resolution outside the OPTN.

The OPTN has an open-door policy and encourages anyone to share their questions, concerns, suggestions, or complaints with the OPTN Executive Director or, in the instance the concern involves the OPTN Executive Director, with the OPTN President. A whistleblower is a person who reports what they reasonably believe to be a violation of a law, rule, or regulation, or other evidence of wrongdoing. Specifically, the OPTN bylaws prohibit retaliation against any person who in good faith reports concerns about:

• A suspected ethics violation
• A suspected violation of law that is not specific to the organ donation or transplant context, such as a complaint of discrimination, or suspected fraud
• A suspected violation of NOTA or any regulation governing the operations of the OPTN

Complaints or concerns about suspected ethical, legal, or regulatory violations should be submitted in writing to the OPTN Executive Director, or the OPTN President, as applicable, who has the responsibility to investigate all reported complaints. The OPTN Executive Director or the OPTN President, if applicable, will advise the OPTN President, or the OPTN Board of Directors, respectively, of all complaints and their resolution and will report at least annually to the OPTN Finance Committee on compliance activity relating to accounting or alleged financial improprieties.

Complaints or concerns may be submitted anonymously. Reports of violations or suspected violations will be kept confidential to the extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation.

The OPTN Executive Director, or the OPTN President, as applicable, will notify the person who submitted a complaint and acknowledge receipt of the reported violation or suspected violation if the person provided contact information. All reports will be promptly investigated, and appropriate corrective action will be taken if warranted by the investigation. The OPTN Executive Director, or the OPTN President, as applicable with approval from HRSA, may engage experts at their discretion to aid in any investigation of the reported violation or suspected violation.

To submit a complaint or concern, email OPTNWhistleblower@unos.org with your complaint or concern. If your complaint or concern involved the OPTN Executive Director, please state that in your message. If you would like confirmation that your report has been received, please provide your contact information.

Frequently asked questions