Board addresses restoration of membership privileges, policy guidance

Published on: Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Richmond, Va. - At its meeting June 24 and 25, the OPTN/UNOS Board of Directors restored full membership privileges to Nevada Donor Network, the organ procurement organization serving Nevada and a portion of Arizona.

The Board had declared the institution as a Member Not in Good Standing in June 2011 based on concerns with clinical and operational practices. Nevada Donor Network was allowed to continue to provide donation services while improving its processes and undergoing extensive monitoring by the OPTN.

"The organization is to be commended for its noticeable improvement in the vital services it provides for donor families and candidates awaiting transplantation," said OPTN/UNOS President John Roberts, M.D.

In other action, the Board endorsed guidance for transplant and health professionals addressing a variety of topics to promote transplant access, patient safety and the interests of potential donors. These topics include timely referral of kidney transplant evaluation, identification of risk factors for West Nile Virus in evaluation of potential living donors and donation after circulatory death in the neurologically aware population.