The Lung Composite Allocation Score (CAS) used to prioritize potential transplant recipients in lung allocation was updated to reduce median travel distance for lungs with the goal of reducing logistical complexity in lung allocation and improving policy compliance. These changes included:
- Increasing the weight on placement efficiency from 10% to 15% of the overall score
- Reducing the weight on all other parts of the score proportionally, including points assigned to pediatric candidates less than 12 years old for waitlist survival and post-transplant outcomes
- Replacing the existing travel efficiency and proximity efficiency rating scales with a single placement efficiency rating scale to assign points to potential transplant recipients based on the nautical mile distance between the donor hospital and the transplant hospital
Lung CAS scores for all lung and heart-lung candidates on the waiting list were updated to reflect the changes to the lung CAS. Approved exceptions remain in effect based on the percentage of available points approved by the Lung Review Board, and the points assigned for each exception were reduced proportionately to the adjusted goal weights.
Members should familiarize themselves with the new policy and update any professional and patient education materials accordingly.
Updated resources, including A Guide to Calculating the Lung Composite Allocation Score, can be found on on the Lung CAS Calculator webpage.