COVID-19 operational actions to remain in effect through Dec. 31

Published on: Monday, August 3, 2020

The Executive Committee of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, at a virtual meeting held July 30, extended the expiration date for a set of operational actions to help members address and document COVID-19 issues affecting organ donation and transplantation. The measures originally were set to expire on Sept. 30, 2020; they will now expire on Dec. 31, 2020.

The Executive Committee initially adopted these measures on April 3, 2020. In accordance with OPTN bylaws, these actions will be posted for retrospective public comment in the cycle beginning August 4.

The measures are described in greater detail on the COVID-19 resource page and in the Implemented policy Notices section of the OPTN website. They include:

• Several time-limited changes to data reporting requirements to allow members to focus on data collection most critical to the donation and transplant process
• Inclusion of new data fields to allow members to document actions relating specifically to COVID-19 affecting potential organ donors and transplant candidates
• An option for kidney transplant programs to apply for retroactive waiting time for qualifying transplant candidates who have not yet begun dialysis